[ Amar Sangno ]
SEPPA, 25 Aug: A proposal for creation of ‘Bichom’ district, moved by the Bichom District Creation Committee (BDCC), headed by Bomdila-Nafra MLA Dongru Sanchoju, has created uproar among the affected Nyishi villages in East Kameng district, forcing the East Kameng District Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation to call for a consultative meeting in Itanagar on Sunday.
Sources informed that the proposal for creation of Bichom district – carving it out from Nafra in West Kameng district and Lada and Bana in East Kameng district – has reportedly been submitted to the chief minister’s office.
The sources added that, in its representation for the proposed Bichom district, the committee has included 11 villages in Bana administrative area, such as Tallom Sima, Pangkar, Chambung, Mora, Richukrong (circle headquarters), Yaasing, Bana, Bana village, Tamne, Wotte and Silla. Similarly, in Lada circle, four Nyishi villages – Tawe, Gikung Waii, Rapung and Liyak – besides Puroik villages like Dongko, Peo, Sutuk, Welling and Kojo-Rojo, etc, have been included.
Reacting to the development, a ‘joint coordination public meeting’ of the stakeholders was held on Friday at the All East Kameng District Students’ Union office in Seppa. It was organised jointly by the All Bameng Khenewa & Lada Students’ Union and the East Kameng Middle Zone Students’ Union.
The meeting was attended also by All Nyishi Students’ Union president Nabam Dodum.
The organisations resolved that no land in Lada, Richukhrong and Bana administrative jurisdictions of East Kameng district will be offered for establishing the proposed district. However, they made it clear that they do not oppose the creation of Bichom district per se.
The organisations vowed to defend any move by the government against their will.
The demand for creation of Bichom district is one of the oldest demands, as far as the District Reorganisation Act is concerned.
Initially, the proposed Bichom district was to cater to the socioeconomic needs and equitable development of the Sajolang (Miji) and Aka (both Hrusso and Koro) communities of East Kameng and West Kameng districts. However, the geographical complexity of Bana, Richukrong and Lada areas remain a bottleneck for creation of Bichom district as the Nyishi population inhabiting these administrative areas do not want to be included in Bichom district.
Reportedly, in view of the bottleneck in creation of Bichom district, the people of Trizino-Buragaon constituency, largely dominated by Aka (Hrusso), withdrew from the BDCC and moved a separate demand for creation of ‘Lower Kameng’ district.
Reportedly, the government is yet to take a decision on the demand.
