e h t t u o b a d e n r e c n o c y l e n i u n e g e b t s u m s r e d l e t u o b a d i a s e b n a c e m a s e h t s s e l r o e r o M . s a e r a g n i n i o j d a

d n a s r e d a e l t a h t w o h s s e s s e c o r p l a n o i t i d a r t , s g n i h t n i o s l a t u b m a s s A f o t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K e h t

r e h t o g n o m A . y a d o t n e v e t n a v e l e r e r a s d o h t e m n i y l e r e m t o n e v i l i b r a K e h t y l r a l i m i S . s e c a l p r e h t o n i

e s o h t t a h t s w o h s s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t e e r h t e h t y b d n a s t c i r t s i d r e h t o f o s a e r a g n i n i o j d a e h t n i d n a m a s s A

d e s i t c a r p n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c f o s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t f o t c i r t s i d o a s a H a m i D n i d n u o f e r a a s a m i D e h T

e h t f o n o i t a r e d i s n o c l u f e r a c d n a e v i t n e t t a n A . s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t - n o n d n a

. y t i n u m m o c e h t n i h t i w l a b i r t r e h t o h t i w s n o i t a l e r r i e h t n i y l l a i c e p s e s e c n e i r e p x e

g n i v i l s u o i n o m r a h e r u s n e o t s a w m i a e t a m i t l u e h T t n e s e r p d n a y r o t s i h r i e h t n i s e v l e s m e h t g n o m a r e f f i d

. d e t a s n e p m o c y l b a t i u s e r e w s m i t c i v d n a e n o d n u e r e w y e h t t u B . e r u t l u c d n a n o i t a s i n a g r o l a i c o s e v i t c n i t s i d

s e c i t s u j n i , d e h s i n u p e r e w y t l i u g e h t t a h t y a w a h c u s n i , t a t i b a h l a n o i t i d a r t r i e h t e v a h s e i t i n u m m o c e e r h t

s r e d l e e h t y b n e v i g s a w t c i d r e v l a n i f e h T . s h t a o h g u o r h t e h t l l A . n o m m o c n i s e r u t a e f y n a m e v a h s e i t i n u m m o c

d e k o v n i e r e w s r e w o p l a r u t a n r e p u s , r a e l c y r e v t o n e s e h T . t s a e h t r o N e h t n i s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t e e r h t n i

s a w e c n e d i v e n e h w s e s a c e m e r t x e n I . d e n i m a x e s s o r c d e s i t c a r p n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c f o s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t

d n a d e n i m a x e e r e w s e s s e n t i W . e s a c r i e h t t n e s e r p o t e h t h t i w l a e d e r e h d e t n e s e r p s y a s s e e e r h t e h T

d n a s e c n a v e i r g r i e h t s s e r p x e o t s e i t i n u t r o p p o e l p m a harmony.

n e v i g e r e w d e v l o v n i s e i t r a p e h T . e l o r g n i d a e l a d e y a l p l a n u m m o c d n a l a n o s r e p e r o t s e r o t s i m i a e t a m i t l u

s r e d l e e h T . s e r u d e c o r p d n a s d o h t e m , s m s i n a h c e m e h T . s r e n n i w e r a l l a t u b , s r e s o l o n e r a e r e h t t a h t

, l a c i t n e d i t o n f i , r a l i m i s y r e v d e t p o d a s e i t i n u m m o c y a w a n i e t u p s i d e h t e v l o s o t d e p l e h e r a d e v l o v n i

e e r h t e h t l l a , s t c i l f n o c l a n r e t n i f o e s a c e h t n I s e i t r a p e h t , e s a c l i v i c a n I . y t i n g i d n i a g e r o t d n a e c a f

. d e r o t s e r e b d l u o c s n o i t a l e r e v a s o t r e d n e f f o e h t p l e h o t d n a , g n i e b - l l e w s ’ m i t c i v

l u f e c a e p t a h t o s s e s i m o r p m o c d n a s n o i t a i t o g e n e h t e r o t s e r d n a l a e h o t s i l a o g e h t , e s a c l a n i m i r c a n I

h g u o r h t d e v l o s e r e r e w s t c i l f n o c l a b i r t - r e t n i . m e t s y s e v i t i n u p d n a l a i r a s r e v d a n a n a h t r e h t a r m e t s y s

INTRODUCTION RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION in 1526 A.D. and the Ahoms were again defeated and pushed back beyond the Dikhow river which became the natural boundary between the two principalities for some years. NESRC Peace Studies Series–4 When the Ahoms kept on consolidating their army, the Kacharis, emboldened by previous successes, became complacent and neglected the security affairs of their country. Traditional Methods of Taking advantage of this, the Ahoms again broke their peace treaty with the Kacharis and set up a fort at Morangi. Another Conflict Resolution battle ensued, and the Kacharis were finally defeated due to the superior strength of the Ahom army. A folk tale among in the Kacharis says that the Ahom soldiers rode on cows during Three Tribal Societies of North East India this battle which completely shocked the Kacharis who refrained from attacking because it could result in the killing of cows. The Kacharis thought that killing of cows would cause defilement of their fighters. It may be noted here that the Kacharis, particularly the Dimasas, at that time considered cows as ‘kushu’ or impure. It was only later on, after they Editor embraced Brahmanical Hinduism, that they came to believe that the cow was a sacred animal. Alphonsus D’Souza After defeating the Kachari monarch Khunkradao Raja, the Ahoms installed Dehtsung, the king’s brother as king at

e r a s t r o f f e , s e g r e m e t c i l f n o c a r e v e n e h w e r o f e r e h T

. e r u t a n n i e v i t c u r t s e d s i t c i l f n o c l a i c o s t a h t d e s i n g o c e r

y l l a r e n e g s i t I . s t h g i f d e m r a d n a s d u e f , s e t u p s i d

d n a s l e r r a u q e k i l s m r o f t n e r e f f i d e k a t n a c t I . s m i a d n a

s t s e r e t n i p u o r g , s e c n e r e f e r p l a n o s r e p n i s e c n e r e f f i d s a

s n o s a e r h c u s f o e s u a c e b e s i r a n a c t c i l f n o C . s p i h s n o i t a l e r

e l i t s o h r o c i t s i n o g a t n a n i s e v l e s m e h t e g a g n e s p u o r g

r o s l a u d i v i d n i r e v e r e h w d n u o f s i t c i l f n o c l a i c o S

i t a h a w u G , e r t n e C h c r a e s e R l a i c o S n r e t s a E h t r o N

r o t c e r i D e t a i c o s s A

a z u o S ’ D s u s n o h p l A

. s e i t i n u m m o c n w o r i e h t n i s t c i l f n o c h t i w

n o i t c u d o r t n I g n i l a e d n i t i e s u o t d n a s n o i t i d a r t r i e h t n i d e n i r h s n e

m o d s i w e h t e t a i c e r p p a o t s n o s r e p g n u o y r e h t o

p l e h l l i w k r o w r i e h t t a h t e p o h y e h T . s e i t i n u m m o c

r i e h t f o s n o i t i d a r t e h t g n i d n a t s r e d n u n i w e i v

s ’ r e d i s n i n a e d i v o r p y e h t e c n e H . s e i t i n u m m o c r i e h t

n i s n o i t a u t i s t c i l f n o c d e c n e i r e p x e y l l a n o s r e p e v a h t u b

, ” s r e h c r a e s e r “ d e c n e i r e p x e t o n e r a y e h T . s n o s r e p g n u o y

f o k r o w e h t e r a e r e h d e t n e s e r p s y a s s e e e r h t e h T RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Jor Pukhuri survive to this day. It is said in a folktale that during the invasion of the Ahoms, the Kachari king dumped gold and NESRC Peace Studies Series - 4 other precious metals in some of these tanks. He is believed to have told his subjects that long after he left, a day would come Traditional Methods of Conflict Resolution in Three when a male mithun would come from the hills and dig up this Tribal Societies of North East India gold by its horn which would weigh a maund (about 240kg) © North Eastern Social Research Centre, 2011 and it would be the time when the Kacharis would rise again and prosper. Published by The Dimapur kingdom of the thirteenth century extended along the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, from the Dikhow River in the east to Kalang in the west and Dhansiri valley. Historians are not in a position to tell us the exact date of the establishment of the Kachari capital at Dimapur. However, according to a Kachari tradition, the Muli bamboo (Wa-thi) North Eastern Social Research Centre which flowers once in fifty years, had flowered nine times during 110 Kharghuli Road (1st floor) Guwahati 781004 the reign of the Kachari kings at Dimapur. This means that they Assam, India ruled for about 450 years at Dimapur. Since the Kacharis shifted their capital to Maibang in 1536 A.D, it can be estimated that Email: [email protected] Kacharis had established Dimapur approximately in 1087 A.D. www.nesrc.org This seems to be a fair estimate because when the Ahom invasion www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/NESRC took place in this region, Dimapur was said to have been

. 9 0 0 2 n i t c i l f n o c a g a N e m e Z - a s a m i D d n a , 5 0 0 2 n i t c i l f n o c

i b r a K - a s a m i D , 3 0 0 2 n i t c i l f n o c r a m H - a s a m i D e h t : e r e w y e h T

. s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t r e h t o h t i w s t c i l f n o c r o j a m e e r h t n i d e v l o v n i

n e e b e v a h y e h t m u i n n e l l i m d r i h t e h t f o e d a c e d t s r i f e h t g n i r u d

t u B . y t i n u m m o c g n i v o l e c a e p d n a l u f e c a e p a s a d e b i r c s e d n e e b

e v a h a s a m i D e h t t s a p e h t n I . a i d n I t s a E h t r o N n i m a s s A f o

e t a t s e h t n i g n i v i l s e b i r t r o j a m e h t f o e n o s i a s a m i D e h T

n o i t c u d o r t n I

m a s s A , . t D g n o l g n A i b r a K

u h p i D , g n o s A g n o s r i J

a s a h t g n a L i n i m d a P

a s a m i D e h t g n o m a t n e m e g a n a M t c i l f n o C f o s d o h t e M l a n o i t i d a r T

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION are references to the ‘foothill dwellers’ or ‘Kiratas’ of the Eastern Himalayas. The term ‘Kirata’ stands for Mongoloid racial communities, but some historians believe that it indicates the

The earliest Kachari settlements were in the foothills of the Himalayas. From there they moved to the Brahmaputra valley with their capital at Kamruli (Kamrupa). Sir Edward Gait, in his History of Assam (1906), says that the Kacharis were the aborigines or earliest inhabitants of the Brahmaputra valley. After hundreds of years of stay in the Brahmaputra Acknowledgements valley, the bulk of this race, due to socio-political turmoil, were believed to have crossed the mighty river and settled in the areas of the present Sadiya of Assam. This section of the This booklet is the aspirations for peace of many persons Kachari is now known as ‘Dimasa’, meaning ‘the children of from Northeast India. The study was done by the three authors the great river’ (di = water, ma = big, sa = children) (Bordoloi under the guidance of Prof. Alphonsus D'Souza. In the field 1988, Gait 1906). the research fellows were supported by C. P. Anto in Nagaland In course of time, facing Ahom aggression, they further and Tom M. in Karbi Anglong and N. C. Hills districts of migrated towards the south, on to the Dhansiri valley. They Assam. NESRC received financial support for these studies from established their capital at Dimapur, presently in the state of Cordaid and Misereor through NED Social Forum. We are Nagaland, after a short stint at Kasomari about forty kilometres grateful to all of them for their support. Above all we thank the from Dimapur. three authors for the effort they have put into this work.

n i g n i v i l e r e w m e h t f o 1 8 8 , 4 6 , 1 0 0 2 n I . t c i r t s i d s l l i H r a h c a C

h t r o N s a n w o n k y l t n e c e r l l i t , t c i r t s i d o a s a H a m i D s i t a t i b a h

n i a m r i e h T . 6 7 9 , 0 1 1 s a w m a s s A n i a s a m i D e h t f o r e b m u n

l a t o t e h t 1 0 0 2 n i , a i d n I f o s u s n e C e h t o t g n i d r o c c A

t a t i b a H t n e s e r P

. a s a m i D o t d e g n a h c a s r u p a m i D , e m i t f o e s r u o c

n I . a s r u p a m i D s a s e v l e s m e h t o t r e f e r r u p a m i D n i g n i v i l e l p o e p

e h t y h w s i t a h t d n a , y a d o t n e v e t n e l a v e r p s i n o i t i d a r t d l o s i h T

. n i g i r o r i e h t f o e c a l p e h t f o e m a n e h t o t ’ a S ‘ g n i d d a y b s e v l e s m e h t

e c u d o r t n i o t a s a m i D e h t g n o m a e c i t c a r p n o m m o c a s i t i , r e j g a H

a m a p u r i N y b d e s o p o r p w e i v r e h t o n a o t g n i d r o c c A . r u p a m i D

t a g n i v i r r a r e t f a y l n o ’ a s a m i D ‘ s a n w o n k e b o t e m a c y e h T

. ’ a s o d o B ‘ s e v l e s m e h t d e l l a c a s a m i D e h t r u p a m i D o t g n i m o c

e r o f e b , n e s u o h T m a r a n o S o t g n i d r o c c A . ’ a s a m i D ‘ m r e t e h t f o

n i g i r o e h t t u o b a s e i r o e h t t n e r e f f i d d r a w r o f t u p e v a h s r a l o h c S

. ’ a s a m i D ‘ m r e t e h t f o n o i t p u r r o c a s i h c i h w

, s m o h A e h t y b ’ a s a m i T ‘ d e l l a c e r e w a s a m i D e h t , ) 6 0 9 1 ( t i a G

d r a w d E o t g n i d r o c c A . s r e v i r f o s k n a b e h t n o e v i l o t e k i l a s a m i D

e h t , e c i t c a r p l a u t c a n I . a r t u p a m h a r B e h t s p a h r e p , ’ r e v i r g i b e h t

f o n e r d l i h c ‘ e h t r o f s d n a t s y l b a b o r p t s o m ’ a s a m i D ‘ e m a n e h t f o IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Both secondary and primary data have been used for this study. Secondary sources include published studies on the Dimasa. Unfortunately such studies are very few. Other sources are the reports of the conflicts published in local and regional newspapers. They cannot always be considered as truly accurate and reliable. Primary data was collected through visits to various places and interviews of people. Persons selected for interviews were men and women of different age groups, occupations and experience. The geographical area of the study included the Dimasa inhabited parts of the districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills, now known as Dima Hasao District. However, Contents there was a concentration on Manja and Dhanasiri areas mainly because the Karbi-Dimasa conflict of 2005 took place in those locations. Constraints of time and difficulties of travel imposed Acknowledgements severe limitations on this study. Major findings of the study are presented in the following pages. Introduction Alphonsus D’Souza / 1 Origin and History of the Dimasa Traditional Methods of Conflict Management The Dimasa tribe is one of the major tribes of the Kachari group among the Dimasa found in Assam. Like other Kacharis, the Dimasa are Mongoloid Padmini Langthasa / 5

t s e w o l e h T . i r t n a M e h t o t s t n a t s i s s a e r e w u h k u b o e s g n a H n o i t a r t s i n i m d a e h t d n a n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c s e d u l c n i s i h T . e g a l l i v

. y t i r o i n e s t o n , t i r e m f o s i s a b e h t n o d e t c e l e s s a w d n a s r e g a l l i v e h t n i r e d r o d n a w a l f o e c n a n e t n i a m e h t o t d e t a l e r e r a s n o i t c n u f

e h t f o h c t a b r e g n u o y e h t o t d e g n o l e b i r t n a M A . e g a y b y t i r o i n e s l a i c i d u J . y t i n u m m o c e h t f o t n e m e v o r p m i e h t r o f y t i v i t c a

n i t x e n e r e w i a r a h P e h T . e g a l l i v e h t n i s e l a m t s e d l o t x e n e h t r e h t o y n a r o k r o w t n e m p o l e v e d o t d e t a l e r e r a s n o i t c n u f e v i t u c e x e

e r e w o a g a s i a b a H . e g a n i y t i r o i n e s y l n o s a w n o i t a c i f i l a u q r i e h T e h T . y r a i c i d u j d n a e v i t u c e x e , y l e m a n , s n o i t c n u f n i a m o w t s a h

. e g a l l i v e h t f o e z i s e h t n o g n i d n e p e d d e i r a v r e b m u n r i e h t d n a l i c n u o C e g a l l i v a s a m i D e h t , n o i t i d a r t e h t h t i w g n i p e e k n I

s r e d l e e h t e r e w o a r u h t a l u a D . e g a y b y t i r o i n e s n i t x e n e h t s a w

k e l i D . s u o m i n a n u n o i t c e l e s s i h e d a m s i h T . g n a n u h K e h t e m a c e b Unlimited Jalairao

e g a l l i v e h t f o r e b m e m t s e d l o e h t n o i t i d a r t o t g n i d r o c c A 25 u h k u b o e s g n a H

. a i d n I f o n o i t u t i t s n o C e h t 8 Mantri

f o e l u d e h c S h t x i S e h t r e d n u l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D s u o m o n o t u A f o 2 Pharai

n o i t c u d o r t n i e h t o t e u d y l n i a m e c a l p n e k a t e v a h s e g n a h C . s e g a l l i v 2 Habaisagao

t s o m n i e t e l o s b o e m o c e b s a h n o i t a s i n a g r o l a n o i t i d a r t s i h t ) 9 9 15 o a r u h t a l u a D

- 8 9 : 8 7 9 1 ( a d n a D o t g n i d r o c c A . o a r i a l a J d n a u h k u b o e s g n a H 1 a r u b n o a g t n a t s i s s a r o k e l i D

, i r t n a M , i a r a h P , o a g a s i a b a H , ) l i c n u o c e g a l l i v e h t f o s r e b m e m 1 a r u b n o a g r o g n a n u h K

, s r e d l e ( o a r u h t a l u a D , ) n a m d a e h e g a l l i v t n a t s i s s a ( k e l i D ) n a m d a e h s n o i t i s o p f o r e b m u N s r e c i f f O f o n o i t a n g i s e D

e g a l l i v ( g n a n u h K : e r e w e s e h T . s e i r a n o i t c n u f d n a s l a i c i f f o

s u o i r a v d a h e g a l l i v a s a m i D a f o n o i t a s i n a g r o l a n o i t i d a r t e h T . w o l e b e l b a t e h t n i d e c u d o r p e r s a l i c n u o c e g a l l i v

l i c n u o C e g a l l i V l a n o i t i d a r T r o h k m e S e h t f o e r u t c u r t s e h t t u o b a s l i a t e d s e d i v o r p a d n a D

. e g a l l i v a s a m i D e v i t a v r e s n o c t s o m d n a t s e d l o e h t , r o h k m e S n i

) 3 8 5 - 1 8 5 : 7 8 9 1 s a D ( t r u o C l i c n u o C y l n o s t s i x e s r e r a e b e c i f f o e h t l l a h t i w l i c n u o c e g a l l i v l a n o i t i d a r t

t c i r t s i D e h t d n a , t r u o C l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D e t a n i d r o b u S , t r u o c e h t , ) 8 9 : 8 7 9 1 ( a d n a D o t g n i d r o c c a , e v o b a d e t o n s A

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

“In the past conflicts with other communities did not exist, The British Period and if there were any such conflicts, they were settled through In 1832 the British East India Company annexed South negotiations. In my childhood I have heard from my elders that Cachar, consisting of the plains of the Barak valley, which was a once there was a war with the Nagas. This war is narrated in part of the princely state of Cachar. The hills division comprised some traditional dances”. of the North Cachar Hills, parts of the Diyung valley, the Kopili This incident is narrated in greater detail by another elder. valley and the Dhansiri valley, including the ancient capital of He says that the conflict was resolved through negotiations in Dimapur, the ‘Brick city’ of the Dimasa Kachari kings. The which the Dimasa king took the initiative. The elder gives us hills division was finally annexed by the British in 1854 on the this information in the following words: death of Senapati Tularram, the Dimasa chieftain, who held “There was also a communal clash during the reign of King sway over that area. But instead of tagging the Northern (Hills Govind Chandra Hasnu. At that time the king would identify Division) with South Cachar the British added the territory to a place for the establishment of a Dimasa village by shooting an the Assam district of Nowgong. The territory was then placed arrow. It was understood that the Dimasa would settle where under the charge of a Junior Political Officer with headquarters the arrow fell. Once when the king shot the arrow, it fell in a at Asalu. Subsequently in 1866, this territory was sliced away place close to a Naga village near Maibang. So, a Dimasa village and distributed among the neighbouring districts of Nowgong was settled there. After a few years there was a conflict between and the Naga Hills. Thus, parts of the Diyung valley and the the Naga and the Dimasa. But it was peacefully solved through Kopili valley were given to the district of Nowgong, and a negotiations because at that time the king was ruling. This portion was joined with the newly created district of Naga Hills. conflict is still narrated in a Dimasa traditional Dance”. The rest formed the territory of the North Cachar Hills A more recent case of inter-tribal conflict is narrated by a comprising exclusively the hilly region. Dimasa working as a teacher in a school. He says: The land settlement procedure adopted by the British

e h t h t i w d n e n a o t e m a c m e t s y s l a c i h c r a n o m r e m r o f e h t e h t r o m i t c i v e h t y b t u b d e s u c c a e h t y b t o n n e k a t s a w

t a h t s i n o i t a s i n a g r o y n a f o e c n e s b a e h t r o f n o s a e r e h T . s e g a l l i v h t a o e h T . g n i k a t h t a o f o n o i t i d a r t e h t o t t r o s e r d l u o c t r u o c

a s a m i D l l a r o l a r e v e s d e c a r b m e t a h t n o i t a s i n a g r o o n y l b a b o r p e h t , e c n e d i v e y r o t c a f s i t a s r o s e s s e n t i w o n e r e w e r e h t f I

s h t a O d n a s e s s e n t i W s a w e r e h t , t s a p e h t n i d o o g y l l a r e n e g e r e w s p i h s n o i t a l e r e g a l l i v

- r e t n i h g u o h T . s e g a l l i v g n i r u o b h g i e n e h t y b d e t p e c c a e r a d n a

s r e g a l l i v e h t y b d e n i a t n i a m e r a h c i h w , s e n i l y r a d n u o b y b d e k r a m . e r a h s r e t a e r g a d e v i e c e r n a m d a e h e g a l l i v e h t d n a

y r o t i r r e t e t i n i f e d a s a h e g a l l i v y r e v e , e v o b a d e t o n s A . n o i t a s i n a g r o t r u o c e h t f o s r e b m e m e h t y b d e r a h s e b d l u o w d e s i l a e r e n i f e h T

l a c i t i l o p a s a m i D l a n o i t i d a r t f o t i n u c i s a b e h t s i e g a l l i v e h T . e g a l l i v e h t m o r f t n e m h s i n a b , s e s a c e m e r t x e n i d n a , e n i f a e b d l u o c

t n e m h s i n u p e h T . n o i s i c e d y t i r o j a m a y b d e l t t e s s a w e s a c e h t

s e m i r C d n a s e t u p s i D y l l a n i F . d e n i m a x e e r e w s e s s e n t i w d n a d r a e h e r e w d e s u c c a e h t

f o t n e m e l t t e S d n a s n o i t a s i n a g r O l a n o i t i d a r T d n a t n a n i a l p m o c e h t h t o b , l i c n u o c e g a l l i v e h t o t n e k a t y l l a u t c a

s a w e t u p s i d a f i , r e v e w o H . l i c n u o c e g a l l i v e h t o t n e k a t t o n

. s l l e h s d n a s d a e b , r e v l i s f o e d a m s t n e m a n r o s u o i r a v r a e w s a w e t u p s i d e h t t a h t y a w a h c u s n i s r e d l e e h t y b d e l t t e s y l l a u s u

n e m o W . l u f r u o l o c s i a s a m i D e h t f o s s e r d l a m r o f r o l a i n o m e r e c e r e w s l e r r a u q y l i m a f , t s a p e h t n I . ” y l i m a f e h t n i h t i w d e l t t e s

l a n o i t i d a r t e h t , s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t r e h t o f o e s a c e h t n i s A e r a y e h t t u B . e f i w d n a d n a b s u h n e e w t e b r o s r e t s i s d n a s r e h t o r b

forms. n e e w t e b , y l i m a f a n i s l e r r a u q e r a e r e h t s e m i t e m o S “ , s y a s r e d l e e n o

e c n a d t n e r e f f i d r o f s n o i t a i r a v e r a e r e h t t u b , s u o n o t o n o m s A . s e t u p s i d d n a s l e r r a u q e m o s s y a w l a e r a e r e h t , s s e l e h t r e v e N

e b o t s r a e p p a i r u m a m o r f c i s u M . ’ i r u m ‘ s i t n e m u r t s n i . s m o t s u c d n a s n o i t i d a r t t c e p s e r o t d e n i a r t e r a y e h t d o o h d l i h c

l a c i s u m t n a t r o p m i e h T . s g n o s t o n , c i s u m l a t n e m u r t s n i y l r a e m o r F . s w a l l a n o i t i d a r t e t a l o i v y l i s a e t o n o d y e h T . e l p o e p

n o d n e p e d d n a r e t c a r a h c n i x e l p m o c e r a s m r o f e c n a d e h T g n i d i b a - w a l d n a g n i v o l - e c a e p y l l a c i s a b e r a a s a m i D e h T

. s e c n a d d n a c i s u m , s g n o s h t i w h c i r s i e f i l l a r u t l u c a s a m i D . e g a l l i v e h t n i h t i w d e l t t e s e r e w s e t u p s i d e s u a c e b

e f i L l a r u t l u C t s i x e t o n d i d s n o i t c i r t s e r h c u s s e m i t r e m r o f n I . t r u o C t c i r t s i D

IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

After Independence between villages are clearly marked. On the other hand, as most After India’s independence there were several changes in of the villages are small, there is a considerable amount of Assam. In 1951 a new district was created in the name of United cooperation between neighbouring villages. Sometimes they Mikir and North Cachar Hills. The Mikir Hills sub-division of come together for the celebration of ceremonies like marriages the district was formed by carving out some areas from the and funerals. However, inter-village dispute can always arise. districts of Nowgong and Sibsagar. The North Cachar Hills Inter-village disputes can arise mainly because of trespass. sub-division was separated from Cachar and tagged on to Mikir There are occasions when people from a village need to cross Hills to form the new district. Dimapur area was attached to the territory of another village for cultivation. In such cases, the the Naga Hills district. In 1970 the North Cachar Hills sub- village concerned seeks the permission of the other village. A division was separated from Mikir Hills district and formed real dispute arises when buffaloes or cattle from a village destroy into a full-fledged district. The Mikir Hills district was later the jhum fields of another village. In such a case, the headmen renamed as Karbi Anglong district. In 2010, the North Cachar of the two villages come together and settle the dispute and Hills district was renamed as Dima Hasao. impose a fine on the owners of the animals. If the owners are When the United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district not identified, a fine is imposed on the entire village. All possible was formed, two Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth efforts are made to settle the dispute at that level because in Schedule of the Constitution of India were established, one in former times there was no possibility of appeal. each of the sub-divisions. When the North Cachar Hills district was formed in 1970, its boundaries coincided with those of the Inter-Tribal Disputes and Conflicts existing Autonomous District Council. Thus the North Cachar In the past, though the Dimasa lived close to, or even Hills district, the present Dima Hasao has a distinct system of surrounded by, villages and settlements of other tribal local administration in the form of the Autonomous District communities, inter-tribal conflict was rare. The reason for this

w a L y r a m o t s u C r e d n u s t r u o C r e h g i H o t s l a e p p A e h t n i e c a l p o n e v a h n e m d e i r r a m n u , y l r a l i m i S . l i c n u o c e g a l l i v

e h t f o r e b m e m a r o e g a l l i v a f o d a e h e h t e b r e v e n n a c n a m o w

. e d o C l a n i m i r C n a i d n I e h t y b d e h s i l b a t s e m e t s y s a , s t h g i r l a c i t i l o p o t d r a g e r h t i W . r e h t o m e h t f o s t n e m a n r o

l a i c i d u j e h t r e d n u e m a c r e d r u m e k i l s e c n e f f o s u o i r e s , r e v e w o H e k i l s e i t r e p o r p e l b a v o m o t d e l t i t n e s i r e t h g u a d a , r e h t a f e h t

. w a l y r a m o t s u c e h t d e w o l l o f o s l a s t r u o c e s e h T . t r u o c r e h g i h e h t f o y t r e p o r p e l b a v o m m i d n a d n a l s t i r e h n i n o s a e l i h W . x e s o t

e m a c e b t r u o C l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D s u o m o n o t u A e h T . e c n e t s i x e o t n i g n i d r o c c a y r a v e c n a t i r e h n i f o s w a l y r a m o t s u c , s t h g i r c i m o n o c e

e m a c t r u o C l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D e t a n i d r o b u S e h t , l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D o t d r a g e r h t i W . e g a d n a x e s f o s i s a b e h t n o s t h g i r n i s e c n e r e f f i d

s u o m o n o t u A e h t f o n o i t a m r o f e h t d n a e c n e d n e p e d n I r e t f A e r a e r e h t , d e t c e p s e r s i e g a d n a x e s f o e v i t c e p s e r r i , a s a m i D

. s r e n o i s s i m m o C t c i r t s i D r o s r e c i f f O y r e v e e l i h W . s u o i g i l e r d n a l a c i t i l o p , c i m o n o c e : s e i r o g e t a c c i s a b

l a c i t i l o P e h t y b d e d i c e d e r e w e r u t a n s u o i r e s e r o m a f o s e s a c t u B e e r h t o t g n o l e b s e i t u d d n a s t h g i r e s e h T . s e i t u d f o s m r o f t n e r e f f i d

. s e g a l l i v n e e w t e b s e t u p s i d d e l t t e s o s l a t I . l a e p p a n o s e s a c d e d i c e d m r o f r e p o t s a h d n a s t h g i r s u o i r a v s y o j n e a s a m i D y r e v E

s e i t u D d n a s t h g i R t I . c i l b u p n i d l e h s a w t r u o c e h T . ) s d a e h e g a l l i v ( s a r u b n o a G

e e r h t t s a e l t a d n a r a d a z u o M e h t f o d e t s i s n o c t r u o c e h T . w a l

y r a m o t s u c r o l a n o i t i d a r t f o s i s a b e h t n o s e s a c d e d i c e d t r u o c . y r o t i m r o d l a n o i t i d a r t e h t y b d e m r o f r e p e n o

s ’ r a d a z u o M e h T . l e v e l y r a i d e m r e t n i n a t a m e t s y s r a d a z u o M e h t e h t o t r a l i m i s e l o r a y a l p y e h T . s n o i t a s i n a g r o h t u o y r o o a s g n a H

d e c u d o r t n i h s i t i r B e h t , e l u r r i e h t f o t n e m h s i l b a t s e e h t r e t f A e h t e r a y r o t i m r o d ’ s r o l e h c a b e h t f o s n o i s r e v n r e d o M

s t r u o C r e h g i H . s d l e i f r i e h t

n i s r e g a l l i v y d e e n e h t p l e h o t s a l l e w s a , s e l o h r e t a w f o g n i n a e l c

. t h g i r s a w e h s r o e h d n a s h t a p e g a l l i v f o n o i t c u r t s n o c e h t s a h c u s e g a l l i v e h t n i s k r o w

t a h t n i a t r e c y l e t u l o s b a s a w e h s r o e h s s e l n u h t a o n a e k a t d l u o w c i l b u p l a r e v e s t u o y r r a c o t e c r o f r u o b a l r o s p u o r g o t n i d e s i n a g r o

a s a m i D o n s t i r i p s e h t f o r a e f e h t o t e u D . r e g i t a y b d e l l i k n o s r e p e r a h t u o y e h T . s l r i g d e i r r a m n u r o f y r o t i m r o d o n s i e r e h T

a r o f d e m r o f r e p t o n e r e w s e i n o m e r e c l a r e n u f e s u a c e b r e t t a m . s g n i t e e m r o f d e s u o s l a s i l l a h s i h T . t h g i n e h t d n e p s e g a l l i v e h t f o

IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT involved in the dispute were given opportunities to explain their Dimasa of Hailakandi and Karimganj districts are recognized as case. If women were involved, they too were given an ‘Rukini Barman.’ Thus the Dimasa have lost their unity and opportunity. Witnesses were also called. If the evidence was not distinct identity. It is in this context that the Jadikhe Naisho adequate, the complainant was asked to take the oath. After Hoshom (JNH), the Dimasa apex body, and other organisations due deliberation the Khunang and the elders solved the dispute came into existence. through a majority decision. Punishment imposed on the wrong doer was usually in Social Organisation and Cultural Life the form of fines or confiscation of belongings. In extreme cases, there could be expulsion from the village. In dealing with The social organisation and cultural life of the Dimasa has offenders, even the village headman was not spared. Danda many distinctive features. The nature of village settlements, (1978: 111) reports a case in which the headman himself was religious beliefs and practices, kinship organisation and cultural found guilty and punished. life have features that are unique to them.

The headman was a good man. But in his later age he Village Settlements committed incest with his daughter’s daughter. At this The Dimasa villages are situated in forest areas where there the village people excommunicated him and his is sufficient cultivable land. However it is almost axiomatic that granddaughter and forced him to live outside the village. there must be a river or stream flowing nearby, which proves He had a son by his granddaughter. Before death the that the Dimasa people love rivers. Villages are usually named excommunicated headman suffered from ailments very after the river flowing nearest to the settlement, though some seriously and requested the villagers to allow him to live villages are named after the clan of the original settler. The in the village. He apologised to them. Then out of pity establishment of a new village is accompanied by various rituals

n a l c , e c i t c a r p l a m r o n e h t s i y m a g o d n e e b i r t e l i h W h a g o a D m i l a H a m i D f o n o i t a m r o f e h t f o e s u a c e b d e n e p p a h s a h

. s l e v e l t n e r e f f i d t a s e c n a m r o f r e p s i h T . e m a n n i y l n o s i g n a n u h K f o r e w o p e h t , s n w o t e h t r a e n

l a u t i r y b d e n e h t g n e r t s s i m e t s y s t n e c s e d e l b u o d s i h t t a h t s e g a l l i v n i d n a s n w o t e h t n I . s e g a l l i v r o i r e t n i n i y l n o d e r u o n o h

e t o n o t t n a t r o p m i s i t I . m e t s y s t n e c s e d e l b u o d e h t w o l l o f o s l a s i g n a n u h K e h t f o r e w o p e h t s y a d a w o n t u B . e g a l l i v e l o h w

e c n a t i r e h n i f o s e l u R . n a l c s ’ r e h t o m e h t o t g n o l e b s r e t h g u a D e h t n i d e t p e c c a s a w y t i r o h t u a s i h d n a t c e p s e r d e d n a m m o c e H

. e m a n r u s r i e h t s a e m a n n a l c e h t e s u d n a n a l c s ’ r e h t a f e h t o t . n a m l u f r e w o p t s o m e h t s a w a r u b n o a G r o g n a n u h K e h t , e g a l l i v

g n o l e b s n o S . s n a l c e l a m e f 2 4 e r a e r e h T . t n a t r o p m i d e r e d i s n o c a s a m i D l a n o i t i d a r t a n i t a h t e v o b a d e n o i t n e m n e e b s a h t I

o s l a e r a s n a l c t n a t r o p m i 2 1 e h t f o s e i t i e d r a l u t i t e h T . y t i e d . a r u b n o a G r o g n a n u h K e h t n a h t r e h t a r

r a l u t i t a s a h n a l c h c a E . t n a t r o p m i e r a 2 1 h c i h w f o , s n a l c e l a m l i c n u o c e g a l l i v e h t y b d e l t t e s e r a s e t u p s i d e c n e H . e n o l a a s a m i D

0 4 e r a e r e h T ) . i d d a j r o u l u j d e l l a c e r a s n a l c e l a m e f e h t d n a e h t f o w a l y r a m o t s u c d n a s n o i t i d a r t e h t w o l l o f o t t l u c i f f i d

g n o h p g n e s s a n w o n k e r a s n a l c e l a M . ) s n a l c - i r t a m ( s n a l c e l a m e f s i t i , n o i t a u t i s s i h t n I . d n u o f o s l a e r a s e i t i n u m m o c r e h t o o t

d n a ) s n a l c - i r t a p ( s n a l c e l a m h t o b e r a e r e h T . t n e c s e d e l b u o d g n i g n o l e b e l p o e p , s e g a l l i v y n a m n I . s e g a l l i v r o i r e t n i e t o m e r e h t

f o m e t s y s p i h s n i k r i e h t s i a s a m i D e h t f o e r u t a e f e u q i n u A n i y l n o e u r t e b y a m s i h t y a d o T . a s a m i D e r e w s t n a t i b a h n i e h t

n o i t a s i n a g r O p i h s n i K l l a d n a s u o n e g o m o h e r e w s e g a l l i v a s a m i D s y a d n e d l o n I

n o i t a u t i S d e g n a h C e h T

qualities.

g n i t s a r t n o c r i e h t f o e s u a c e b e c a l p e m a s e h t t a d e p p i h s r o w . e t u p s i d e h t g n i l t t e s n i s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t d n a w a l y r a m o t s u c

e b t o n n a c o h w s t i r i p s / s e i t i e d y n a m e r a e r e h t s a , s o h k - i a d a m e h t d l e h p u s t r u o c e h t , e s a c s i h t n i t a h t n e e s e b n a c t I

l a r e v e s s a h e g a l l i v a s a m i D y r e v E . p i h s r o w f o e c a l p e h t r o f s d n a t s . t r u o C e g a l l i V e h t f o n o i s i c e d e h t d l e h p u

) e c a l p r o e m o h e h t = o h k ; s t i r i p s / s e i t i e d e l b i s i v n i = i a d a M ( o h k d n a l i a t e d n i e s a c e h t d e n i m a x e t r u o C e h T . g n i k a t h t a o f o r a e f

- i a d a M d n a . c t e , s e h c t i w , s t i r i p s , s e i t i e d e l b i s i v n i / n e e s n u h c u s e h t f o e s u a c e b t r u o C l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D e h t o t d e l a e p p a n e h t r e h t a f

l l a r o f s d n a t s i a d a M m r e t e h T . s e i t i e d e g a l l i v o s l a e r a e s e h T s ’ l r i g e h T . e c n e d i v e t c e r i d o n s a w e r e h t e s u a c e b h t a o l a n o i t i d a r t

IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT in the sense that it is inhabited only by the Dimasa people. If conflicts have been reported. There have been disputes at various there are any outsiders, they are temporary employees of the levels: within the family, between families in the village, between Government like teachers. villages and with other tribal communities. Information on how they were resolved is presented below. This information is drawn Economy from both secondary sources and the responses given by persons Agriculture is the principal occupation and the main source who were interviewed. The names of the respondents are not of livelihood. Those who live in the hills practise shifting given here for reasons of confidentiality and prudence. cultivation or jhuming, though they also have some permanent wet cultivation fields wherever possible. Those who live in the Disputes in the Family plains have wet cultivation. Paddy (rice) is the main crop. Other According to an elder, “sometimes there are quarrels in a food crops include maize and various types of vegetables. Some family, between brothers and sisters or between husband and cultivate fruits like oranges and pineapples. Domestic animals wife. But they are settled within the family”. Thus quarrels within include buffalos, pigs, goats and fowls. the family are usually settled by the elders of the clan. The In general, the Dimasa are economically backward. This method of settlement would be to listen to the parties and come can be seen from the situation of the Dima Hasao district. In to an amicable settlement. In the Dimasa society, the heads of 2001, the literacy rate among the Dimasa in Assam was 59.6 the family are respected and obeyed. percent (69.4% for males and 49.3% for females). A large number of villages in the district do not have access roads and Disputes within the Village other basic facilities. There can be various types of disputes between the families living in a village. Some of them can be offences against the person, others offences with regard to property. Insulting others,

r i k i M e h t , 6 7 9 1 n I . s t c i r t s i d s l l i H r a h c a C h t r o N d n a s l l i H r i k i M e h t n I . s n o i s s u c s i d p u o r g d e s s u c o f e m o s h g u o r h t d e t c e l l o c

o t n i d e t a c r u f i b s a w t c i r t s i d s i h t 0 7 9 1 n I . a y a l a h g e M t n e s e r p s a w a t a D . s n o s r e p r e h t o d n a , s n o i t a s i n a g r o t n e d u t s d n a

f o t c i r t s i d s l l i H a i t n i a J d n a i s a h K d e t i n U d n a r a h c a C , n o a g a N h t u o y f o s r e r a e b e c i f f o , n e m d a e h e g a l l i v f o s w e i v r e t n i l a n o s r e p

, ) t a h g a l o G w o n ( r a g a s a v i S f o s t c i r t s i d e h t f o s t r a p e m o s h t i w h g u o r h t d e t c e l l o c s a w a t a d k r o w d l e i f e h t g n i r u D

d e m r o f s a w t c i r t s i D s l l i H r a h c a C h t r o N d n a r i k i M d e t i n U e h t . s t c i l f n o c a s a m i D

d e l l a c t c i r t s i d a 1 5 9 1 n I . n o i t a s i n a g r o e r e v i t a r t s i n i m d a f o e s u a c e b - i b r a K d n a i k u K - i b r a K e h t g n i r u d e c n e l o i v e h t f o s m i t c i v

e c n e t s i x e o t n i e m a c t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K t n e s e r p e h T e m a c e b o s l a t u b s t c i l f n o c e h t d e s s e n t i w y l n o t o n a j n a M

. a y a l a h g e M d n a d n a l a g a N g n i r e d r o b f o e l p o e p e h T . s t c i l f n o c e h t n i e c n e l o i v f o e r t n e c i p e e h t s a w

n o i t i s o p c i g e t a r t s y r e v a s e i p u c c o t c i r t s i d e h t s u h T . t s a e e h t n i h c i h w , e g n a r s l l i H n o s a h g n i S e h t r a e n s n w o t e h t f o e n o s i

d n a l a g a N f o e t a t S e h t d n a t s e w e h t n i a y a l a h g e M f o e t a t S , h t u o s t i e s u a c e b y d u t s f o d l e i f e h t n i d e d u l c n i s a w a j n a M . r e h t e g o t

e h t n i s l l i H r a h c a C h t r o N , h t r o n e h t n i s t c i r t s i d t a h g a l o G d n a e v i l s e b i r t l a r e v e s o t g n i g n o l e b e l p o e p e r e h w e c a l p a f o

n o a g a N e h t y b d e d n u o b s i t c i r t s i d e h T . s n o i s i v i d - b u s n a j a k o B e l p m a x e d o o g a s i a j n a M . s e g a l l i V g n i n i o j d a d n a g n e r e t m A

d n a u h p i D h t i w g n o l g n A i b r a K t s a E d n a , n o i s i v i d - b u s n e r m a H , o s g n a l a h t i a B , n e r m a H , a k i T t a e n o d s a w t i t s e W e h t

f o g n i t s i s n o c g n o l g n A i b r a K t s e W , s t r a p o w t o t n i d e d i v i d n I . n a j n a h k u S d n a i a l l i D , a j n a M t a e n o d s a w k r o w d l e i f , t s a E

s i t I . m a s s A f o t r a p l a r t n e c e h t n i d e t a u t i s s i g n o l g n A i b r a K e h t n I . t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K f o s t r a p n r e t s e W d n a n r e t s a E

y r o t s i H d n a n o i t a c o L e h t n i h t o b , t c i r t s i d e l o h w e h t n i e n o d s a w k r o w d l e i F

. k r o w d l e i f h g u o r h t d e t c e l l o c a t a d n o y l i v a e h

. t c i r t s i d l a b i r t a y l t n a n i m o d e r p s i t I . t c i r t s i d s e i l e r y d u t s e h t t u B . s r e p a p s w e n e h t n i d e h s i l b u p s t r o p e r e h t

s l l i H r i k i M s a n w o n k y l r e m r o f s a w t I . m a s s A n i t c i r t s i d t s e g r a l s e s u o s l a t I . e l b i s s e c c a s i t a h t l a i r e t a m r e v e t a h w s e s u y d u t s s i h T

e h t s i , s l l i H i b r a K s n a e m y l l a r e t i l h c i h w , g n o l g n A i b r a K . s i b r a K e h t n o l a i r e t a m d e h s i l b u p e l t t i l y r e v s i e r e h t , s i t i s A

. a t a d y r a m i r p d n a y r a d n o c e s h t o b f o e s u s e k a m y d u t s s i h T

e l p o e P e h t d n a t c i r t s i D e h T : g n o l g n A i b r a K y g o l o d o h t e M

H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT and to ward off diseases and natural calamities. There are also settled through discussion, negotiations and compromises. festivals related to cultivation and harvest. Given this background, it is normal that the Dimasa people as a A majority of the Karbi still follow their traditional religion. whole were perplexed during the recent conflicts. This can be There are some movements towards Hinduisation. A section seen from what some of the Dimasa elders have said. Their views of the Karbi has embraced Christianity. However, Christianity are given below: seems to have created a layer over the tribal culture. Christianity has also greatly contributed to the spread of modern education. “The real cause of the Dimasa-Hmar conflict of 2003 is not known. But I am sure it was the insurgents Villages and their Organisation who caused the problem in which lives of both the Karbi Anglong is a hilly area, but with low hills and rolling communities were lost. Both the communities suffered valleys in between the hills. Boundaries between villages are a lot. At the end it was solved by J.N.H. (Apex Body of not clearly demarcated. Karbi villages are usually located on the Dimasa) and the leaders of Hmar community hill tops. Villages do not have a large population. Villages are coming together in order to bring peace with mutual also not compact because houses are scattered over the area of understanding” (A teacher). the village especially where shifting cultivation is practised. “My first experience of conflict with others was the Sometimes, villages shift from one location to another in search conflict with the Karbis in 2005. But we were friends of suitable land for cultivation or establish new hamlets. But with the Karbis and considered them as our own brothers in the plains villages can be large and permanent because of and sisters. It may be the politicians who played a violent wet cultivation. role. If we want to bring about peace we must talk to Each village has a headman called Gaonbura or Sarthe. Each each other and should have mutual understanding. But of the hamlets in a village also has a headman. Usually a Karbi the main problem is with the insurgents, not with the

r e h t o f o e l p o e P . t c i r t s i d e h t f o n o i t a l u p o p l a b i r t e h t f o t n e c r e p s a e r a y d u t s s i h t f o s e v i t c e j b o e h t s u h T . y t i n u m m o c d e t c e f f a

5 5 . 4 r o 4 0 6 , 0 2 f o n o i t a l u p o p a h t i w e b i r t o r a G e h t s a w d r i h t t s o m e h t e r a y e h t e s u a c e b e l p o e p i b r a K e h t f o t n i o p w e i v e h t

e h T . n o i t a l u p o p l a b i r t e h t f o t n e c r e p 8 1 . 0 1 g n i m r o f , 5 9 0 , 6 4 f o m o r f s t c i l f n o c e h t t a s k o o l y d u t s s i h t , t r o f f e s i h t n I . e c a l p k o o t

n o i t a l u p o p a h t i w e b i r t a s a m i D e h t e m a c t x e N . n o i t a l u p o p l a b i r t s t c i l f n o c e s e h t y h w d n a t s r e d n u o t t p m e t t a n a s i y d u t s s i h T

e h t f o t n e c r e p 8 2 . 6 7 g n i t u t i t s n o c , 0 4 5 , 5 4 3 f o n o i t a l u p o p a h t i w y d u t S s i h t f o s e v i t c e j b O

i b r a K e h t f o t a h t s a w y t i n u m m o c l a b i r t t s e g r a l e h t , 1 0 0 2 n I

. t c i r t s i d e h t n i s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t . s t c i l f n o c e h t n i

l a r e v e s e r e w e r e h t t u B . l a b i r t s a w n o i t a l u p o p e h t f o y t i r o j a m a d e v l o v n i s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t e h t f o s e v i t c e p s r e p e h t m o r f m e h t

s u h T . l a t o t e h t f o t n e c r e p 3 6 . 3 , s i t a h t , 0 2 5 , 9 2 s a w n o i t a l u p o p t a k o o l o t d n a t c i r t s i d e h t n i d n u o f n o i t a u t i s e h t f o t x e t n o c

e t s a C d e l u d e h c S e h T . n o i t a l u p o p l a t o t e h t f o t n e c r e p 9 6 . 5 5 r e d a o r b e h t n i h t i w s t c i l f n o c e s e h t t a k o o l o t d e e n a s i e r e h t

g n i t u t i t s n o c , s n o s r e p 3 6 9 , 2 5 4 f o d e t s i s n o c n o i t a l u p o p e b i r T e c n e H . s e c n e u q e s n o c d n a s e s u a c e t a i d e m m i r i e h t d n a s t c i l f n o c

d e l u d e h c S e h t 1 0 0 2 n i , a i d n I f o s u s n e C e h t o t g n i d r o c c A e h t f o n o i t p i r c s e d e h t h t i w t l a e d e v a h y e h t e s u a c e b e r u t a n n i

n o i t i s o p m o C c i n h t E l a i c i f r e p u s n e e b e v a h m e h t f o t s o m t u B . a i d e m e h t n i s t c i l f n o c

e s e h t f o s e s y l a n a d n a s t r o p e r y n a m n e e b e v a h e r e h T

. m r o f n o m m o c e h t s a n o i t a v i t l u c . e f i l w e n a n i g e b d n a s e c a l p e g n a r t s o t e t a r g i m o t

g n i t f i h s h t i w , e r u t l u c i r g a s i y t i v i t c a c i m o n o c e n i a m e h T d e c r o f e r e w d n a , d n a l d n a s e m o h n w o r i e h t m o r f d e c a l p s i d e r e w

. s e l a m e f r o f 0 3 . 7 4 d n a s e l a m r o f 2 2 . 7 6 h t i w , t n e c r e p 0 7 . 7 5 e l p o e p f o r e b m u n e g r a l a t a h t s a w t r a p t s e d d a s e h T . s e g e l l o c

s a w e t a r y c a r e t i l e h T . f o o r d e h c t a h t d n a s l l a w d u m f o t l i u b r o s l o o h c s n i s r a e y c i m e d a c a t s o l s t n e d u t s y n a M . s t n e r a p r i e h t

, a h c t u k e r e w s e s u o h e h t f o t n e c r e p 4 . 8 7 y n a y n a m s a , 1 0 0 2 n I m o r f n e r d l i h c d n a , s e v i w r i e h t m o r f d e t a r a p e s e r e w s d n a b s u h

. s e i t i l i c a f c i s a b k c a l d n a s a e r a e t o m e r n i e r a s e g a l l i v e h t f o t s o M e s u a c e b d e t c e f f a e r e w s e i l i m a F . s p m a c f e i l e r l a r e v e s n i r e t l e h s

. d r a w k c a b y l l a c i m o n o c e d n a y l l a i c o s s i e l o h w a s a t c i r t s i d e h T e k a t o t d a h e l p o e p d n a s e i l i m a f f o r e b m u n e g r a l A . s e t a t s r e h t o

. n i a r r e t n i y l l i h s i t c i r t s i d e h t , s e t a c i d n i e m a n y r e v e h t s A o t n e v e r o m a s s A n i s t c i r t s i d r e h t o o t r o t c i r t s i d e h t n i h t i w s a e r a

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT an AK47? Even if we get one, we do not know how to woman retains the clan name of her birth. She has some shoot or fire at innocent people” (A Gaonbura). responsibilities in the family and village of her birth. The role of a woman is clearly determined by tradition. Her status is It can be seen from the above views that the ordinary persons lower than that of a man in religious matters and in the decision are wondering why the recent conflicts took place. They blame making processes within the village. She can never be a member the insurgents and politicians. Perhaps they do not understand of the village council. the reasons or factors that have led to the outbreak of conflicts. At the same time, they think that all the problems, including Economy violent conflicts, can be solved through negotiations and Agriculture is the main economic activity of the Karbi. compromises in which the leaders play their part for the welfare Those who live in the hilly areas practise shifting cultivation, of the people. and those in the plains have settled wet cultivation. Paddy is the main food crop. But they also grow maize and vegetables for Conclusion domestic consumption and also for the market. At present tea is grown in some parts of the district. Dimasas think of themselves as peace-loving people. They In recent times many cash crops have been introduced. Chief want to live in peace especially with other villages and among them are sugar cane, ginger, mustard and various communities. But they also accept that there can be disputes at vegetables like chillies, yam, brinjal, radish and cabbage. These various levels, namely, within the family and within the village, have brought about significant changes in the agricultural as also between villages and even between tribal communities. economy of the district. Here is a summary presentation of the traditional methods of Karbi Anglong is known for various handicrafts. Men are settling disputes and resolving conflicts. skilled in bamboo, cane and various woodcrafts. Women are

Origin - i k u K , ) 3 9 - 2 9 9 1 ( t c i l f n o c i k u K - a g a N e h t s a h c u s , s e c a l p r e h t o

n i s t c i l f n o c t n e l o i v e r e w e r e h t n e h w n e v e e u r t s a w s i h T . r e h t o n a

e n o h t i w y n o m r a h d n a e c a e p n i g n i v i l n e e b e v a h s e b i r t d n a . m a s s A f o s t c i r t s i d r e h t o f o s a e r a g n i n i o j d a e m o s n i e r e w t s e r

s p u o r g c i n h t e t n e r e f f i d f o e l p o e p , t s a p e h t n i , s n o i s i v i d h t o b e h t d n a t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K n i g n i v i l s i b r a K 0 4 5 , 5 4 3 e r e w

n I . g n o l g n A i b r a K t s e W d n a g n o l g n A i b r a K t s a E , s n o i s i v i d o w t e r e h T . m a s s A f o n o i t a l u p o p l a b i r t e h t f o t n e c r e p 7 . 0 1 d e t u t i t s n o c

s a h t c i r t s i d e h T . s n o i g i l e r d n a s e g a u g n a l , s e r u t l u c , s e l p o e p f o y e h T . m a s s A n i g n i v i l s n o s r e p 3 1 5 , 3 5 3 f o d e t s i s n o c e b i r t ) r i k i M (

s e i t i s r e v i d n i h c i r y r e v s i m a s s A n i t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K i b r a K e h t 1 0 0 2 n i , a i d n I f o s u s n e C e h t o t g n i d r o c c A . m a s s A n i

n o i t c u d o r t n I y t i n u m m o c r o e b i r t r o j a m a e r a y e h t t n e s e r p t A . a i d n I t s a E h t r o N

f o s e b i r t a g a N d n a i k u K e h t n e e w t e b y l l a c i t s i u g n i l i b r a K e h t

e c a l p s t s i g o l o p o r h t n A . p u o r g c i t s i u g n i l n a m r u B - o t e b i T f o t r a p

m a s s A , . t D g n o l g n A i b r a K a e r a d n a k c o t s l a i c a r d i o l o g n o M e h t o t g n o l e b i b r a K e h T

u h p i D , g n o s A g n o s r i J . ’ n a m a ‘ s n a e m y l l a r e t i l h c i h w , g n e l r A s a s e m i t e m o s

i l i D g n a r e T l i n u S d n a , i b r a K t u b r i k i M s e v l e s m e h t l l a c r e v e n y e h t t u B . s e b i r T

d e l u d e h c S e h t g n o m a m e h t d e t s i l t a h t a i d n I f o t n e m n r e v o G

t c i l f n o C d n a y t i n u m m o C i b r a K e h T e h t f o r e d r O n o i t u t i t s n o C e h t g n i d u l c n i , s t n e m u c o d

l a i c i f f o n i s r i k i M s a t s a p e h t n i n w o n k e r e w i b r a K e h T

n o i t a s i n a g r O r i e h t d n a i b r a K e h T

. y n o m r a h d n a e c a e p

n i g n i v i l , l a r e n e g n i , n e e b e v a h s e i t i n u m m o c e s e h t l l a t s a p e h t

n I . e u q i n u t i s e k a m t c i r t s i d e h t f o r e t c a r a h c l a r u t l u c - i t l u m d n a H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION DIMASA CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Karbi Clans In the course of their history, the Dimasa seem to have There are five clans called ‘kur’. They are: 1. Ingti, 2. Terang, avoided conflicts with other communities. They seem to have 3. Teron, 4. Timung, and 5. Inghi (Enghee). There is some sort moved away when they were attacked by others. In the few of hierarchy among them, and the above order is usually cases of disputes and conflicts that are reported, the king and accepted. The Ingti clan has the highest position because it is a the leaders were concerned about the welfare of their subjects priestly clan. At the same time, all the clans or kurs are socially and followers. Therefore, the methods adopted to settle the equal and have no scruples as to eating together or intermarriage. dispute and to resolve conflicts were negotiation and In fact, clans are strictly exogamous. A person must marry compromise. someone from another kur. A man of the Ingti clan may marry a woman from any other clan. Violation of this rule known as * * * * * clan exogamy leads to severe punishment which is usually excommunication. List of Persons interviewed The following are some of the common personal names of Karbi males: Sardoka, Mon. Dili, There, Kangther, Taimoi, 1. Anirudh Jigdung Temen, Bura, Pator, Long and Bi. Some of the common names 2. Nibash Jidung of women are: Kareng, Kache, Kaban. Kamang, Kaet, Kajir, 3. Gohendra Jidung Kaku, Kare, Kasang, Kadom, Dimi and Sotera. 4. Upendra Johorisa 5. Rajendra Nunisa The Family 6. Jomendra Hojai The Karbi family is patriarchal in structure. The authority 7. Jonon Langthasa of the father is accepted by all the members. A family usually

. r u p i n a M d n a d n a l a g a N f o s l l i h e h t n i s p u o r g i k u K d n a a g a N

r e h t o d n a o A , a h t o L e h t e k i l s e b i r t g n i n i a m e r e h t g n i v a e l m a s s A

n i y e l l a v k a r a B e h t o t d e t a r g i m , s p u o r g a g a N d n a i k u K e m o s

h t i w g n o l a , i b r a K e h t s r a e y 0 0 5 t u o b a r o f r u p i n a M n i g n i y a t s

r e t f A . d n a l a g a N d n a r u p i n a M o t a m r u B m o r f d e v o m y e h t , s e b i r t

e l i t s o h h t i w n o i t a t n o r f n o c d i o v a o T . s r e l u r e s e n i h C e v i s s e r p p o

m o r f d e l f , s e b i r t r e h t o h t i w g n o l a , i b r a K e h t t a h t s e t i r w

. 0 1 - 1 s l o V , ) m o d e e r F ( g n a d u H e h T

g n a r e T g n o l e r a B . s e b i r t e h t y b e d a m s a w e g a s s a p a h c i h w h g u o r h t

. 2 & 1 . o N , 2 8 . l o V , a i d n I n i n a M

, s l l i H r u p i n a M a i v a m r u B m o r f g n i t a r g i m s e b i r t “ e h t o t e t u o r , ” m a s s A f o s e i r a h c a K a s a m i D e h t g n o m a e r u t c u r t s l a i c o s

d n a l a d e r e f f o d n a l a g a N n r e h t u o s t a h t n o i t n e m h e r a B . H d n a d n a m e t s y s f e i l e b , s g n i p u o r g t n e c s e D “ ) 2 0 0 2 ( l u b a B , y o R

n o t t u H . H . J , n o i t i d a r t i b r a K a o t g n i r r e f e R . r u p i n a M d n a a m r u B . s e c i t c a r P y r a m o t s u C a s a m i D f o k o o B d n a H A K. L. Nunisa,

a i v a n i h C m o r f e m a c y e h t t a h t s i i b r a K e h t f o n o i t a r g i m e h t n o i t u l o S s t I d n A t n e m e v o M a s a m i D e h T . 9 0 0 2 . p i l i D , a s i n u N

t u o b a s n o i t a n a l p x e e h t f o e n O . y r u t n e c h t n e e t r i h t y l r a e e h t n i . 6 3 1 - 6 1 1 . p P . i t a h a w u G , e r u t l u C f o e t u t i t s n I

s m o h A e h t f o g n i m o c e h t e r o f e b n o i g e r t s a E h t r o N t n e s e r p e h t a r d n e K a d n a n a k e v i V e h t f o l a n r u o J e h T . I I l o V , t s e u Q in

f o a e r a e h t o t e m a c i b r a K e h t t a h t d i a s s i t I . k c a t s y a h a n i e l d e e n ” a s a m i D e h t f o n o i t a z i n a g r O e g a l l i V “ . 9 0 0 2 . i r t a y a G , g n i d i a N

a d n i f o t g n i y r t e k i l s i t a t i b a h t n e s e r p r i e h t h c a e r o t , r a l u c i t r a p Anglong

s i i b r a K e h t y b d n a , l a r e n e g n i s e g a u g n a l n a m r u B - o t e b i T i b r a K n i e c a e P r o f h c r a e S d n a e c n e l o i V . A . m o T , e z a h t u t t a g n a M

f o s r e k a e p s e h t y b n e k a t e t u o r e h t e c a r t o t t p m e t t a n A ) 7 6 9 1 , 3 3 9 1 t n i r p e R ( . o C

. e b i r t r o p u o r g h c u s e n o e r a i b r a K e h T . e b i r t e m a s & k n i p S r e k c a h T . m a s s A f O y r o t s i H A . 6 0 9 1 . d r a w d E r i S , t i a G

e h t n i h t i w s e b i r t - b u s r o s p u o r g - b u s g n i m r o f s e m i t e m o s , s a e r a . t r u o C h g i H i t a h u a G , e t u t i t s n I h c r a e s e R

e g r a l r e v o d e t u b i r t s i d e r a d n a e g r a l y r e v e r a s r e h t O . s e i t i l a c o l w a L : i t a h a w u G . n o i g e R n r e t s a E - h t r o N f o s e c a R d n a s l a b i r T

r a l u c i t r a p o t d e n i f n o c e r a d n a l l a m s e r a s e b i r t e m o S . s e m a n e h t d n a e c i t s u J f o n o i t a r t s i n i m d A e h t f o y d u t S A . 7 8 9 1 . N . J , s a D

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL IAA OFIT MANAGEMENT CONFLICT DIMASA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT

I am thankful to Fr. Arul S. and Fr. Nilesh Parmar for their the point of view of habitation, the Karbi who live in the hills hospitality during my field visit and interviews in N.C. Hills, are divided into three groups, namely, Chinthong, Ronghang and to Sr Teresa, Sr Proti, and Sr Lesi for their kindness and and Amri. These are geographic divisions, not clan names. It is hospitality at Diyungbra. common to distinguish between the Karbi who live in the hills I am thankful to all my fellow researchers of Manipur, and those who live in the plains. Nagaland and Tripura for their generous help and suggestions. I In West Karbi Anglong, the Karbi are sandwiched between am also thankful to all the village headmen and village elders the Khasi of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya and the plains people for their kind cooperation. of Assam. It is interesting to note that some of the Bhoi-Khasis I am also thankful to Sunil Terang who was my research have Karbi clan names, but follow the matrilineal system. At partner for his cooperation and help during my travels. I am the same time, there are some Karbi who have typical Khasi very much thankful to our Peace Team coordinator and animator names, but speak Karbi and follow the patrilineal system. for helping me in managing time and to complete my study. Hamren in West Karbi Anglong may be considered as the hub of Karbi culture because it is the base of the Karbi kingship, Padmini Langthasa namely, the Lyndok Habe system, which resembles the Lyngdoh Manja, 5th February 2010 system of the Jaintias in many ways. In the plains of the Kamrup district of Assam, the Karbi are considered one of the sub-castes of Assamese society. In some * * * * * Karbi villages in this area, women take the clan name of the husband after marriage. In North Cachar Hills, the Karbi References consider the leopard as equivalent to tiger because there are no tigers there. It may be mentioned that the tiger is an important

o t r u p i n a M n i d e m r o f s a w h c i h w , ) A R K ( y m r A y r a n o i t u l o v e R c i n h t e e h t s i t c i l f n o c s i h t f o d n u o r g k c a b l a r e n e g e h T

i k u K e h t , e m i t n a e M . ) F L N L K ( t n o r F n o i t a r e b i L s l l i H r a h c a C d n u o r g k c a B e h T

h t r o N i r g n o L i b r a K s a n w o n k e b o t e m a c s k l a t r o s n o i t a i t o g e n

d e s o p p o t a h t n o i t c a f e h T . t n e m n r e v o G e h t h t i w s n o i t a i t o g e n . d n u o r g k c a b s t i d n a t s r e d n u o t y r a s s e c e n

g n i d l o h f o e u s s i e h t n o r e t a l t i l p s p u o r g s i h T . ) S D P U ( y t i r a d i l o S s i t i e c n e H . r e h t o h c a e g n i l l i k d n a g n i k c a t t a s l l i H r a h c a C h t r o N

c i t a r c o m e D ’ s e l p o e P d e t i n U , p u o r g d e m r a n a f o n o i t a m r o f e h t d n a g n o l g n A i b r a K f o s e b i r t n i a m e h t f o y r o t s i h o n s a w e r e h t

s a w t l u s e r e h T . s e v i t c e j b o r i e h t e v e i h c a o t s n a e m e h t s a e l g g u r t s , r e i l r a e s t c i l f n o c l a b i r t - r e t n i r e h t o e r e w e r e h t h g u o h T . d e n i a l p x e

d e m r a t p o d a o t d e d i c e d s r e d a e l e h t f o e m o s , g n i g a r u o c n e t o n y l i s a e e b t o n n a c t i e s u a c e b s u o i r e t s y m s i 6 0 - 5 0 0 2 f o t c i l f n o c

s a w s t n e m n r e v o G m a s s A d n a l a r t n e C e h t m o r f e s n o p s e r e h t a s a m i D - i b r a K e h t , s r e v r e s b o d n a s t s y l a n a o t g n i d r o c c A

n e h W . m a s s A n i e t a t S s u o m o n o t u A n a g n o l g n A i b r a K e k a m o t

) 6 0 - 5 0 0 2 ( t c i l f n o C a s a m i D - i b r a K e m i t g n o l a r o f g n i l g g u r t s n e e b d a h p i h s r e d a e l i b r a K e h T

. y t i t n e d i n w o r i e h t o t t a e r h t a s a e v o m

s i h t d e v i e c r e p i b r a K e h T . g n o l g n A i b r a K n i ) A N K ( y l b m e s s A . r a e f f o e r e h p s o m t a n a d n a t s u r t s i d d a e r p s e d i w , y n o m r a h s i d

l a n o i t a N i k u K e h t d e m r o f y e h T . t c i r t s i d g n o l g n A i b r a K n i h t i w l a i c o s e r a s t s o c l a i c o s e h t f o e m o S . e l b a l u c l a c n i e r a s t s o c l a i c o s e h T

) C R K ( l i c n u o C l a n o i g e R i k u K a f o m r o f e h t n i y t i t n e d i t c n i t s i d . s e s s o l c i m o n o c e n a h t e r o m h c u m e r a t c i l f n o c e h t f o s t c e f f e e h T

a e v a h o t d e r i s e d i k u K e h t , n o i t a l u p o p f o h t w o r g e h t h t i W . s e g a l l i v f o n o i t c u r t s e d d n a s e s u o h f o g n i n r u b , s e v i l t n e c o n n i f o

. n o i t a l u p o p i k u K e h t n i e s i r t n a c i f i n g i s a o t d e l s i h T . e g n a r l l i h s d e r d n u h f o s s o l e h t n i d e t l u s e r s a h t c i l f n o c i k u K - i b r a K e h T

n o m a b m u h K - n o s a h g n i S n i e l t t e s o t m e h t d e t t i m r e p l i c n u o C . e g a t s t n a m r o d a n i s e u n i t n o c t c i l f n o c e h t , r e v e w o H . y m r a e h t

t c i r t s i D s u o m o n o t u A g n o l g n A i b r a K e h t t a h t d i a s s i t I . r u p i n a M g n i y o l p e d y b l o r t n o c r e d n u t h g u o r b s a w t c i l f n o c e h t d n a d e c u d e r

d n a d n a l a g a N n i s t c i l f n o c o t e u d e c a l p s i h t o t e m a c i k u K e c n e l o i v , e s a h p d r i h t e h t g n i r u D . d e l l i k e r e w e l p o e p t n e c o n n i

f o r e b m u n e g r a l a , s 0 9 9 1 d n a s 0 8 9 1 e h t n i , r e t a L . n o i t a v i t l u c d n a t n r u b e r e w s e i t i n u m m o c e h t h t o b f o s e g a l l i V . d e v l o v n i

r o f d n a l e l i t r e f f o h c r a e s n i e g n a r l l i h n o s a h g n i S o t d e t a r g i m e r e w s e d i s e h t h t o b n o e l p o e p n o m m o c s a l l e w s a s p u o r g

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT to the Governor of Assam. Jirsong Asong, other like- The Bachelors’ Dormitory minded NGOs, religious and social organisation and The bachelors’ dormitory of the Karbis is known by schools participated in it. different names such as the Terang Ahem, Terang Hangbar, Pharle More than 50 houses in 5 Karbi villages are burnt down at 12:30 and Jirkedam. In the past it was generally constructed in a central am; 6 persons are hacked to death, and a 2-year-old child is place of the village. It was a place where the youth were trained. burnt to death. At 5.00 pm, 19 houses in Bura Terang and It was in the dormitory that the youth acquired a spirit of Engti villages are burnt down and 50 houses in Walingdisa cooperation and readiness to help others. and Kothalbari Dimasa villages at 8.00 am. Five villagers The bachelors’ dormitory has disappeared from most of are missing. the Karbi villages because of rapid changes brought about by UCF begins daily review meetings to keep track of incidents development activities including the spread of education. But, and discuss the means for reducing them. ASD, KSA, the spirit of offering a helping hand to the needy by the youth KNCA and KCA take out a Peace Rally in Diphu. of a Karbi village has not disappeared. At present various youth October: Five Karbi villagers, including the village chief organisations perform this role. There are, in fact, youth and his two sons, are killed at Singh Terang Karbi village, 8 organisations of different types. km from Diphu. Their bodies are recovered from Langsoliet. Relief camps set up in KASA stadium and several Youth Organisations at Present schools in Diphu since 3,000 Karbi and an equal number Some important youth organisations are very active at of Dimasa flee their villages. present and need to be taken into account. Peace meeting held at Tumpreng at the initiative of Shri Bajong The Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) was formed in Tisso, Joyram Engleng and Sing Teron, members of the 1954 to provide a platform for the youth of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Participants include both Karbi and and to stand united for the progress of the student community.

d r i h t a t a h t d i a s e h , y t i t n e d i s t i o t s e u l c y n a g n i v i g t u o h t i W . d i a s

y t g n I ” y t r a p d r i h t a f o k r o w e h t s i s i h T “ . t c i l f n o c e h t g n i t r a t s n i . . e t a i l a t e r t o n d i d s i b r a K

d e v l o v n i s a w D H D e h t r o n S D P U e h t r e h t i e n t a h t d e v o r p d a h e h T . i b r a K e h t f o e g a l l i v e l o h w a n w o d t n r u b h a m e p e z a R m o r f

g n i l l i k e h t o t n i n o i t a g i t s e v n i y r a n i m i l e r p a t a h t d e t a t s e H . A K S s a g a N e h t , r e t n i w g n i w o l l o f e h t n i n i a g A . d i a r s i h t n o i b r a K

f o n a m s e k o p s e h t , y t g n I n e p U y b d e s s e r p x e s a w w e i v n o m m o c x i s y t n e w t d e l l i k y e h T . y t i n u m m o c i b r a K e h t f o a h c m a g r e S

e h T . t c i l f n o c e h t f o s n o i t a t e r p r e t n i t n e r e f f i d e r a e r e h T f o e g a l l i v e h t d e d i a r y e h t , e n u J f o h t n o m e h t n i , r a e y e m a s

. x i d n e p p A e h t n i n e v i g s i t c i l f n o c e h t f o t n u o c c a l a c i g o l o n o r h c e h t n I . s l l i H r e h c a C h t r o N e h t n i e g a l l i v i b r a K a d e y o r t s e d d n a

f e i r b A . r e b m e t p e S 6 2 n o y l n e d d u s d e t p u r e t c i l f n o c e h T

d e d i a r h a m e p e z a R f o e g a l l i v e h t f o s a g a N e h t , y r a u n a J f o h t n o m th

t c i l f n o C e h t f o e r u t a N e h t n i , 6 8 8 1 n i , e l p m a x e r o F . s a g a N i m a g n A g n i r u o b h g i e n

e h t y b g n i t n u h - d a e h f o s m i t c i v n e e b e v a h o t m e e s i b r a K

. t c i l f n o c a s a m i D - i b r a K e h t e h t t u B . g n i t n u h - d a e h f o e c i t c a r p e h t e v a h t o n d i d y e h T . s e c a l p

e m a c n e h T . s i s a h K d n a s i b r a K e h t n e e w t e b n o i s n e t s a w e r e h t r o i r e t n i o t e v o m o t d e r r e f e r p y e h t , s r e d i s t u o m o r f k c a t t a n a

, 5 0 0 2 t s u g u A n I . s i s a v i d A d n a s i r a h i B e h t g n i v l o v n i e c n e l o i v s a w s a w e r e h t n e h W . e b i r t e k i l r a w a n e e b r e v e n e v a h i b r a K e h T

e r e h t , 5 0 0 2 y l r a e n I . t c i l f n o c i k u K - i b r a K e h t s a w e r e h t 3 0 0 2 n I . n o i t a v i t l u c g n i t f i h s r o f e l b a l i a v a y l i s a e s a w d n a l

. s t c i l f n o c y t i n u m m o c - r e t n i d n a l a b i r t - r e t n i e m o s d e s s e n t i w e n o d n a n i h t s a w n o i t a l u p o p , t s a p e h t n I . s e g a l l i v e h t f o e r u t a n e h t

e d a c e d s i h t f o g n i n n i g e b e h t t a n e h T . r e h t o n a e n o h t i w e c a e p n i f o e s u a c e b d e t s i x e r e v e n y l b a b o r p s t c i l f n o c e g a l l i v - r e t n I . e g a l l i v

s s e l r o e r o m e v i l o t d e u n i t n o c s e i t i n u m m o c t n e r e f f i d f o e l p o e p e h t n i h t i w s m e l b o r p d n a s e s a c e r a e v o b a d e n i a l p x e n e e b e v a h

, r e v e w o H . J - D H D y l l a i c e p s e , D H D e h t d n a F L N L K e h t e r e w t a h t w a l l a n o i t i d a r t f o s n o i t a l o i v d n a s e t u p s i d e h t f o t s o M

m e h t g n o m a f e i h C . s 0 9 9 1 n i s p u o r g d e m r a e h t f o e c n e g r e m e s t c i l f n o C l a b i r T - r e t n I d n a e g a l l i V - r e t n I

e h t h t i w d e t a c i l p m o c e r o m e m a c e b n o i t a u t i s e h T . a s a m i D d n a

i b r a K e h t h t o b g n o m a w e r g s s e n s u o i c s n o c c i n h t e s t n e m p o l e v e d . d e r o t s e r s i y n o m r a h d n a

e s e h t g n i r u D . s l i c n u o C t c i r t s i D s u o m o n o t u A t c n i t s i d d e t p e c c a s i n o i s i c e d l a n i f e h t y l l a u s U . d e v r e s b o e r a e c i t s u j

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT the ASDC (U). There are differences between them not in A 24-hour bandh is called but ends in 10 hours. their objectives but in their ideologies. Rockybul Hussain, Assam State Home Minister visits Karbi Karbi Students’ and Youth Forum (KSYF) was formed in Anglong. UCF delegation meets him and submits a May 2003, when leaders of the three factions of the KSA Memorandum to him urging him to restore normalcy. gathered together to stand united in protest against Clause 8 5th October: 10 hour bandh called off. The Jathike Naisho of the Bodo Territorial Council Accord. This clause made a Hasom, which is the apex organisation of the Dimasa tribe provision for the grant of Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status to the and the DHD blame the UPDS for the killings. The UPDS, people of Bodo community settled in Karbi Anglong and NC which has a ceasefire agreement with Delhi and Dispur, Hills. Another reason for the formation of KSYF was to bring refutes the allegation and accuses the DHD of trying to youth from different political backgrounds together so that sabotage the ongoing peace process by killing innocent they could stand together on behalf of all the students and people and blaming others. The common factor in all three youth of Karbi Anglong and to fight for their rights. It was incidents is that firearms were not used. meant to be a youth organisation without any political leanings 6th October: UCF meets with North East Joint Peace Team. and to bring youth together irrespective of their political 7th October: Peace rally is organised by UCF and Somindar differences. Karbi Amei (SKA), the apex body of the Karbi; The United Christian Youth Forum (UCYF) was formed Memorandum is submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in 2002 to provide a platform for Christian Youth belonging to by the SKA. Jatikhe Naaisho Hasom (JNH), apex body of different Churches to be united in spreading the message of the Dimasa and Karbi decide to find a solution to the peace. The UCYF brought Christian youth from different problem through peace talks. SKA spokesman, Upen Ingty communal and denominational backgrounds together. It holds states that a preliminary investigation into the killing has regular meetings to discuss and work on common problems proved that neither the UPDS nor the DHD was involved

. r M , s r e t t a m l a u x e s t u o b a s m o t s u c l a n o i t i d a r t g n i d r a g e R r e h t o o t y a w a e v o m o t d e r r e f e r p y e h t , s r e d i s t u o m o r f k c a t t a n a

. d e g n a h c e v a h s m o t s u c e h t f o y n a m h g u o h t y a d o t s a w e r e h t n e h W . e b i r t e k i l r a w a n e e b r e v e n e v a h i b r a K e h T

n e v e r e t t a m s u o i r e s a d e r e d i s n o c e r a s h t a O . e c n e d i v e r a e l c o n . s e g a l l i v e h t f o e r u t a n e h t f o

s a w e r e h t n e h w o t d e t r o s e r y l l a u s u s a w g n i k a t h t a O . s r e b m e m e s u a c e b d e t s i x e r e v e n y l b a b o r p s t c i l f n o c e g a l l i v - r e t n I . d e r o t s e r

y l i m a f f o h t a e d e h t g n i d u l c n i , s e c n e u q e s n o c s u o i r e s o t d a e l d l u o w s a w y n o m r a h d n a d e t p e c c a s a w n o i s i c e d l a n i f e h t y l l a u s U

h t a o e s l a f a g n i k a t t a h t d e v e i l e b e l p o e P . e l g n u j e h t o t t u o t n e w . d e v r e s b o e r e w e c i t s u j l a r u t a n f o s e l p i c n i r P . e s i m o r p m o c h g u o r h t

e h n e h w m i h e t i b d l u o h s r e g i t a , d e i l d a h e h f i t a h t y f i n g i s o t g n i d n a t s r e d n u n a t a e v i r r a o t e d a m e r e w s t p m e t t A . g n i r a e h

, r e g i t a f o h t o o t e h t t i b h t a o e h t e k a t o t d a h o h w e n o e h t , h t a o r i a f a n e v i g e r e w e t u p s i d e h t n i d e v l o v n i s e i t r a p e h T . l i c n u o c

f o e p y t r e h t o n a n I . ” e r i f h t i w e i d d n a t s u d o t n r u t e m t e l , e i l e g a l l i v e h t y b d e l t t e s e r e w e g a l l i v e h t n i h t i w s e t u p s i D

I f I “ : y a s o t d a h r e k a t h t a o e h t , e m i t d e t a l u p i t s e h t t A . h t a o e h t . w o l e b d e s i r a m m u s e r a s d o h t e m e s e h T

e k a t o t d a h t n e c o n n i e b o t d e m i a l c o h w n o s r e p e h T . y n o m e r e c . n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c f o s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t e h t s i e r u t l u c r i e h t

g n i k a t h t a o e h t d e t c u d n o c y l l a u s u ) e r k a K ( t s e i r p A f o s t n e m e l e e h t f o e n O . e r u t l u c d n a y t i t n e d i t c n i t s i d a e v a h

. g n i k a t h t a o h g u o r h t t u o b a t h g u o r b s a w n o i s u l c n o c i b r a K e h t , t s a e h t r o N e h t n i s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t r e h t o e k i L

a , e g a t s s i h t t a n e v e d e v l o s t o n s a w e s a c e h t f I . s e g a l l i v r e h t o

f o n e m d a e h f o g n i t s i s n o c l i c n u o C t a e r G e h t r o i p i e M o t o g o t Conclusion

s a w p e t s t x e n e h t , n o i s u l c n o c a o t e m o c t o n d l u o c y e h t f I

. s e k a t s i m s t i . y n o m r a h l a n o i t i d a r t e h t e r o t s e r o t e u n i t n o c t s u m s e s s e c o r p e c a e p

r o f e n i f a y a p o t d a h y t r a p y t l i u g e h T . e s a c e h t n o e s i m o r p m o c e s e h T . e c n e l o i v f o s m i t c i v e h t g n i p l e h n i d n a e c a e p g n i t o m o r p n i

m e h t e k a m o t s a w f e i h c e h t f o a e d i n i a m e h T . g n i t e e m a e v i t c a e r e w o o t s n o i t a s i n a g r o h t u o Y . e c a e p e r o t s e r d l u o c y e h t w o h

r o f d e l l a c e r e w ) s t n a d n e f e d d n a s t n a n i a l p m o c ( s e i t r a p e h t h t o b d e s s u c s i d d n a t e m o s l a y e h T . e c a e p r o f d e l a e p p a s e i t i n u m m o c e h t

, y l l u f e s a c e h t g n i w o n k r e t f A . e s a c e h t t u o b a s e i r i u q n e e k a m h t o b f o s r e d a e l e h t , s e s u o h d n a s e g a l l i v f o g n i n r u b d n a s g n i l l i k

o s l a d n a e s a c e h t y d u t s n e h t d l u o w o h w , f e i h c e h t o t d e t t i m b u s l a t u r b f o t s d i m e h t n i n e v E . s n o i t a s i n a g r o h t u o y d n a s r e d a e l

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT

Appendix Traditional Institutions for Conflict Resolution Chronology of the Karbi-Dimasa Conflict (2006-06) Like other tribes, the Karbis too have various traditional (Source: Mangattuthaze 2008: 57-62) institutions. While some of them are socio-political in nature, others are economic in character. Some of these institutions have September: Three Dimasa auto drivers aged 22, 23 and proved outdated in the modern context and others continue 35, belonging to Mohendijua Dimasa village near Manja with modified functions. (16 km from Diphu) are abducted and murdered. Their bodies are found at the Karbi majority Ramsapather village. Karbi King or Chief Two autos are recovered and the third is reportedly burnt. The traditional Karbi chief or king, with his seat at Niz Motives or identity of killers are not known. Rongkhang was known as ‘Lingdokpo’. He was selected by a October:Dimasa organisations call a 10 hour bandh in parliament called ‘Pinpomar’. In the erstwhile Karbi kingdom protest against the killings. The bandh is supported by the a village was headed by a village headman called ‘Rong Sarthe’. Karbi Organisations. Several contiguous Karbi villages constituted one ‘Longri’, and October: 5 Karbi males are hacked to death at Phonlangso. the administrative officer of a Longri was called ‘Habe’ They are from another village, but 15 masked gunmen ‘Habai’. The kingdom had 12 such Longris, and these Longris forcibly take them to Phonglangso village, 8 km from were constituted into 4 ‘Artu’, and each Artu was governed by Diphu and kill them there. an officer called Lingdok. At the apex of the 4 Lingdoks was The Peace Team and Diphu Citizens’ Peace Forum convene a the chief called ‘Recho’ or ‘Lingdokpo’. The Karbi king or chief Peace Fellowship to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti by involving still exercises his traditional authority in respect of socio-religious all the religious and political leaders in and around Diphu. matters.

e g a l l i V e h t n i h t i w s e t u p s i D - o C t c i r t s i D , g n a r e T l o m i B . r M o t l u f e t a r g m a I . e m n i d e c a l p

y e h t h t i a f e h t r o f y l i m a f y m o t l u f k n a h t m a I . e l b i s s o p n e e b

. o p k o d g n i L e h t y b d e d a e h k o d g n i L e h t d n a e b a H e h t y b d e d a e h e v a h t o n d l u o w k r o w s i h t t r o p p u s ’ s t n e r a p y m t u o h t i W

l i c n u o C t a e r G e h t , e h t r a S d e l l a c n a m d a e h e h t h t i w l i c n u o c . k r o w d l e i f y m g n i r u d e m d e s i v d a o h w , r o t a n i d r o

e g a l l i v e h t f o d e t s i s n o c m e t s y s r e i t e e r h t e h T . i r m A d n a g n a h g n o R - o C m a e T e c a e P e h t , i p o h c g n a h P h a r a S s s i M o t l u f e t a r g o s l a

, g n o h t n i h C e r e w s n o i s i v i d e s e h t , r e i l r a e d e t o n s A . d e v i l i b r a K m a I . a j n a M f o e m m a r g o r p p i h s w o l l e f g n i d l i u b e c a e p e h t f o

e h t h c i h w n i a e r a l a c i h p a r g o e g h c a e n i m e t s y s r e i t e e r h t a s a w r o t c e r i D e m m a r g o r P d n a m a e T e c a e P , r o t c e r i D , e l z z a h t u t t a g n a M

e r e h t , s e m i r c d n a s e t u p s i d f o n o i t u l o s e r e h t o t d r a g e r h t i W m o T . r F o t e d u t i t a r g f o t b e d a e w o I . l l e w o d o t e m

d e r i p s n i e c i v d a d n a t n e m e g a r u o c n e f o s d r o w e s o h w , C R S E N

n o i t u l o s e R t c i l f n o C f o s e s s e c o r P f o r o t c e r i D , s e d n a n r e F r e t l a W . r D . y d u t s e h t g n i r u d e m d e d i u g

o h w C R S E N f o a z u o S ’ D s u s n o h p l A . f o r P k n a h t I . t c i r t s i d e h t

. s e c n e f f o l a u x e s s u o i r a v d n a e f i l t a d e m i a t f a r c h c t i w n i y d u t s a h c u s o d o t y t i n u t r o p p o s i h t e m g n i v i g r o f i t a h a w u G

s a s e s a c h c u s h t i w s l a e d t I . l i c n u o c t a e r g e h t y b d e l t t e s e r a e r u t a n , C S R E N o t d e t b e d n i m a I . t n e m e g a n a m t c i l f n o c f o s d o h t e m

s u o i r e s e r o m a f o s e m i r c d n a s e t u p s i D . ’ e b a H ‘ r o ’ i a b a H ‘ s a l a n o i t i d a r t i b r a K e h t e z y l a n a o t t r o f f e n a s i y d u t s s i h T

n w o n k s i e H . t i r e m d n a y t i r o i n e s f o s i s a b e h t n o n e m d a e h e h t

s t n e m e g d e l w o n k c A f o e n o y b d e d a e h s i t I . s e g a l l i v s u o u g i t n o c l a r e v e s f o n e m d a e h

e h t f o s t s i s n o c t I . ’ i p i e M ‘ d e l l a c s i l i c n u o C t a e r G e h T

* * * * * * * * * . s e t u p s i d e l t t e s

o t s t r u o c w a l e h t o t o g o t r e f e r p e l p o e p e s u a c e b t s a p e h t n i s a

l u f r e w o p s a t o n s i i e M e h t , t n e s e r p t A . n o i t a c o l w e n e h t s e i f i t n e d i . d o o g n o m m o c e h t f o w e i v n i e s i m o r p m o c d n a n o i s s u c s i d

d n a , n o i t a v i t l u c r o f d n a l r e t t e b f o e k a s e h t r o f n o i t a c o l w e n , e u g o l a i d f o s e c i t c a r p l a n o i t i d a r t n o d e s a b n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c

a o t d e t f i h s e b t s u m e g a l l i v e h t r e h t e h w s e d i c e d o s l a t I . e r u t a n f o s d o h t e m w e n p o l e v e d o t e l b i s s o p s i t i , r e v e w o H . s t n e n o p p o

H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT his people to allow the attackers to come to him. Tongklong also thankful to all those who answered my questions during Meji and his soldiers reached the peak with a golden sword (ser the interviews and shared their opinions without any complaint. anokjir) and the king confronted them. Realising his inevitable I am also grateful to Miss Padmini Langthasa who was my defeat, the king requested a last wish, namely, to have ‘ingtat’ research partner and helped me during the study. And lastly, I (betel leaf and nut or pan) before the enemies beheaded him. thank the Teron family who were my hosts and fed me with But with every stroke of the enemy’s sword the king grew in good food during my research in West Karbi Anglong. size. Frustrated, the enemies put him in an iron cage (ingchin a: um) and imprisoned him for three months without food or Sunil Terang Dili water. The king survived the ordeal. Enraged, and their frustration doubled, the enemies decided to kill his subjects instead. When Abbreviations Used the killing of the Karbi subjects started, the king asked his subjects to flee to secure places telling them that he would join them in ASDC (P) Autonomous State Demand Committee a new avatar in his next birth. He told them to look for signs (Progressive). such as when humans became dwarfs, chilly plants outgrew their ASDC (U) Autonomous State Demand (United). original size and were fit enough to be climbed, and when the ASDC Autonomous State Demand Committee. wooden rice pounding staff ‘longlengpum’ germinated. These CPI (ML) Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). would be the signs of the king’s impending rebirth. He would DDYC Diphu Diocesan Youth Commission. be born in the middle of Ronghang village, now in West Karbi DHD Dima Halam Daogah Anglong. After listening to the king, the Karbi began to flee to DHD-J Dima Halam Daogah - Jewel Garlossa Faction safer places. KAAC Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. This tradition or myth explains how the Karbi do not have KLNLF Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front.

s e b i r t a g a N e m o S . ) 4 3 - 7 2 : 5 7 9 1 m a r o H ( e c a l p l a n i g i r o r i e h t e h t d e c n u o n o r p s m o h A e h t , m a s s A f o s m o h A e h t h t i w t c a t n o c

s a s a e r a t n e c a j d a s t i r o l e h k a M o t t n i o p ) s i r u p i n a M ( s i e t i e M n i e m a c e l p o e p n e h W . ” a h k o a n “ e m a c e b ” a k o h k o a n “ , e m i t f o

n e v e d n a s g n i r a M , s l a g n a h T , s m a r a M , s o a M , ) s a g a N a r m o S e s r u o c e h t n i d n a , ” d l i h c e v a r b a “ s n a e m ” a k o h k o a n “ d r o w e h t

g n i d u l c n i ( , s l u h k g n a T , s a h t o L , s a m e S , s a m g n e R , s g n a s e h k a h C e g a u g n a l t a h t n I . e g a u g n a l a g a N l u h k g n a T e h t n i n i g i r o s t i s a h

, s i m a g n A e h t f o s d n e g e l e h T . a m i h o K m o r f s e r t e m o l i k ” a g a N “ e m a n e h t t a h t e t a c i d n i o t s m e e s ) 6 2 - 5 2 : 5 7 9 1 ( m a r o H

0 2 t u o b a , e t a t S r u p i n a M t n e s e r p e h t f o a e r a o a M e h t n i , s n o i t a n a l p x e r e h t o g n o m A . y t i t n e d i - f l e s r i e h t f o n o i s s e r p x e

d e t a c o l s i l e h k a M . a e r a t n e c a j d a s t i r o , ” e r u t r a p e d f o e c a l p e h t “ n a s a s e v l e s m e h t s a g a N e h t y b d e s u s a w ” a g a N “ d r o w e h t

g n i n a e m ) i m a g n A n i ” a i m o r o h k e M “ r o ( l e h k a M o t n i g i r o r i e h t t a h t k n i h t o h w e m o s e r a e r e h t t u B . s a g a N - n o n r o s r e d i s t u o y b

e c a r t s a g a N e h t f o t s o m t a h t a e d i h g u o r a m r o f n a c e n o , s d n e g e l d e s u s d r o w n o d e s a b e r a r a f o s n e v i g s n o i t a n a l p x e e h t l l A

e h t y b g n i o G . n o i t a r g i m f o s n r e t t a p d n a n i g i r o s t i f o n o i s r e v . s e b o l r a e e h t m o r f s t n a d n e p s a s e n i v d n a s r e w o l f r a e w

n w o s t i s a h e b i r t a g a N y r e v e t a h t e t o n o t g n i t s e r e t n i s i t I o t d e v o l o h w s a g a N e h t g n o m a e c i t c a r p d a e r p s e d i w a s a w s e b o l

. n i g i r o f o s d n e g e l d n a s h t y m r a e e h t f o g n i c r e i p e s u a c e b e l p o e p e m o s y b d e t p e c c a s i w e i v s i h T

s u o i r a v e h t m o r f n e e s e b n a c s i h T . n o i s s e c c u s e s o l c f o s e v a w . ” s r a e d e c r e i p h t i w e l p o e p “ , s n a e m h c i h w , ” a k a n “ d r o w e s e m r u B

n i t a t i b a h t n e s e r p r i e h t d e r e t n e d n a s e m i t t n e r e f f i d t a d e t a r g i m e h t m o r f d e v i r e d s i ” a g a N “ d r o w t a h t y a s e m o S . ” m a s s A n i s n i a l p

e l p o e p e s e h t f o s p u o r g e t a r a p e s t a h t y l e k i l s i t I . ) 8 6 : 6 9 9 1 e h t f o e l p o e p e h t h t i w t c a t n o c n i e m a c n e t f o o h w s l l i h e h t f o

m u h s a V ( t a t i b a h t n e s e r p r i e h t h c a e r o t a m r u B d n a d n a l i a h T e l p o e p d e k a n e h t r o f d e s u s a w a g a N d r o w e h t y l l a n i g i r o “ , s e t i r w ) 4

, a n i h C f o e c n i v o r p n a n n u Y h g u o r h t g n i s s a p n o i t c e r i d n r e h t u o s : 6 8 9 1 ( a m e S e h s i k o H , m r e t s i h t o t e c n e r e f e r n I . Buranjis

e h t d e w o l l o f o h w e s o h t g n o m a n e e b e v a h o t d e v e i l e b e r a s a g a N m a s s A f o s d r o c e r l a c i r o t s i h e h t n i y r u t n e c h t n e e t r i h t e h t o t k c a b

e h T . s e g a t s n i d e t a r g i m e v a h o t d i a s e r a e l p o e p e s e h t f o e m o s d e t a d e b n a c n o i t a n a l p x e s i h T . ” d e k a n “ g n i n a e m ” a g o N “ d r o w

, e m i t f o e s r u o c n I . a e r o K d n a a i l o g n o M , a n i h C s a n w o n k y a d o t e s e m a s s A e h t f o n o i t a t p a d a n a s i ” a g a N “ e h t t a h t s i n o i t a n a l p x e

s i t a h t a e r a t s a v e h t n i d e r e t t a c s y l e s r a p s e r e w k c o t s d i o l o g n o M r e h t o n A . n o i g e r e h t n i s e b i r t l l i h r e h t o l a r e v e s e r a e r e h t , t c a f

e h t f o s p u o r g c i n h t e s u o i r a v , t s a p e t o m e r e h t n i t a h t d e v e i l e b n I . s a g a N e r a a e r a e h t n i n e m l l i h e h t l l a t o n e s u a c e b y c n e r e h o c n i

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT district call them “Chuwami” (the ones who preceded). This DHD leaders hold talks with senior police and intelligence word indicates the sequence of migration of the Lotha and the officials about the ongoing situation in Karbi Anglong. Sumi. According to one story the ancestors of the Lotha, Sumi, Shri Tarun Gogoi Chief Minister of Assam and Shri P.K. Rengma and the Angami had together migrated from Burma Mahanta, Former Chief Minster visit some affected areas and entered the Mao area of Manipur. They stayed at and relief camps. The Chief Minister holds an all party Kezakenoma village of that area for a long time and later meeting and another meeting of the district administration; migrated to the Kohima region, where they were divided into announces an enquiry headed by retired Justice Shri P.C. two tribal segments. The Angami pushed the Lotha to their Phukan and an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakhs to next of kin of the present place (Singh 1994: 112). dead and rehabilitation of those whose houses have been gutted. Peace rally organised by CPI (ML), KSA, KNCA The Habitat and KCS. Wokha district of Nagaland is the traditional home of the The Jirsong Asong team and UCF visit relief camps to find out Lotha. It is situated in the mid-western part of Nagaland. The about the immediate requirements of the people. district is bounded by the districts of Mokokchung in the north, 11th October: 16,299 people are taking shelter in 31 Relief Zunheboto in the east, Kohima in the south and the state of Camps. The District administration starts distributing Assam (Asom) in the west. Geographically, it is located in the essential commodities like food and clothes at the relief heart of Nagaland with easy access to the neighbouring regions camps. A team of health workers visits relief camps and like Kohima (Capital of Nagaland), Mokokchung, Zunheboto, provides treatment to patients. and Merapani (Asom). 12th October: 51 Dimasa houses burnt down and one woman The whole district is mountainous in terrain. The killed. The district administration forms a peace mission topography of the district is more or less similar to that of other with representative from student, women’s and political

t o n e r a s e b i r t r o n i m e h t f o e m o s f o s e m a n y l e t a n u t r o f n U e h t r e t f a y c n e r r u c d e n i a g d n a r a l u p o p e m a c e b t I . e l u r h s i t i r B e h t

. t c e l a i d r o e g a u g n a l d n a e m a n n w o s t i s a h , r a m n a y M g n i r u d e g a s u n o m m o c o t n i e m a c m r e t e h T . ) 7 : 6 9 9 1 u y n a S (

d n a , l a h c a n u r A , r u p i n a M , m a s s A , d n a l a g a N n i g n i v i l s e b i r t ” d e k a n e h t f o m l a e r e h t “ g n i n a e m ” i o l a g a N “ s a 8 1 , I I , I I V e m u l o v

e s e h t f o h c a E . r a m n a y M d n a a i d n I t s a E - h t r o N f o s e t a t s r u o f e h t a i h p a r g o e G s i h n i n a i r o t s i h d n a r e h p o s o l i h p k e e r G a , y m e l o t P

n i g n i v i l s e b i r t a g a N 5 4 t s a e l t a e r a e r e h t t a h t d e t a m i t s e s i t I s u i d u a l C y b y r u t n e c d n o c e s e h t n i e d a m s a w ” a g a N “ d r o w

s t c e l a i d d n a s e b i r T e h t o t e c n e r e f e r t s r i f e h t t a h t l e e f s r a l o h c s a g a N t s o m , r e v e w o H

. s e v l e s m e h t s a g a N e h t y b d e n i o c t o n d n a s r e h t o y b n e v i g n e e b

. ) 3 : 7 0 0 2 u h k i h S ( g n e l g n o L e v a h o t s r a e p p a m r e t e h t e s u a c e b s r a l o h c s d n a s r e h c r a e s e r g n o m a

d n a n e r e P , e r i h p i K , g n a s n e u T , k e h P , n o M , o t o b e h n u Z , a h k o W e t a b e d f o r e t t a m a n e e b s a h ” a g a N “ m r e t e h t f o n i g i r o e h T

, g n u h c k o k o M , r u p a m i D , a m i h o K : s t c i r t s i d 1 1 s a h d n a l a g a N . ) i x - x i : 4 7 9 1 o u n o Y ( y t i t n e d i c i n h t e d n a e r u t l u c

y a d o T . n o i n U n a i d n I e h t f o e t a t S d e g d e l f - l l u f 6 1 e h t e m a c e b , y r o t s i h t n e r e f f i d a e v a h y e h t s a m e h t m o r f t c n i t s i d e t i u q e r a

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d n a l a g a N , 3 6 9 1 1 r e b m e c e D n O . e t a t S m a s s A f o t c i r t s i d s l l i H s a g a N e h t t u B . s a g a N e h t f o t a t i b a h e h t d n u o r a s a e r a e h t t i b a h n i

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a g a N e h t s a n w o n k e b o t e m a c y r o t i r r e t a g a N e h t , 7 4 9 1 n i t f e l o h w s e l p o e p n i h C d n a i k u K e h t e k i l s e b i r t r e h t o h t i w s e i t i n i f f a

h s i t i r B e h t n e h W . 0 8 8 1 n i s l l i H a g a N e h t f o n o i t a r t s i n i m d a e h t e s o l c e v a h o s l a s a g a N e h T . e s e n i h C e h t d n a e s e n a p a J , s i a h T

f o l o r t n o c l l u f k o o t y l l a n i f , e c n a t s i s e r f o d o i r e p g n o l a r e t f a d n a , s n a i s e n o d n I , e s e m r u B e h t e k i l s d i o l o g n o M e r a s a g a N e h T

2 3 8 1 n i s a g a N e h t h t i w t c a t n o c n i e m a c t s r i f h s i t i r B e h T . ) 7 : 5 0 0 2 h u n e V ( a e r a s i h t t i b a h n i

. e m i t g n o l y r e v o h w s e b i r t f o p u o r g e h t o t g n i r r e f e r m r e t c i r e n e g a s i ” a g a N “

a r o f t a t i b a h t n e s e r p r i e h t n i g n i v i l n e e b e v a h s a g a N e h t t a h t d r o w e h t t a h t d e t p e c c a y l l a r e n e g s i t I . ) 1 : 7 0 0 2 u h k i h S ( n o i l l i m

w o h s s e c n e r e f e r e s e h T . m a s s A d e t i s i v e h n e h w 5 4 6 . D . A n i g n a s T 5 . 3 y l e t a m i x o r p p a f o n o i t a l u p o p a d n a s e l i m . q s 0 0 0 , 7 4 r e v o

g n a u H m i r g l i p e s e n i h C e h t f o s d r o c e r l a c i r o t s i h e h t n i d n u o f g n i d n e t x e a e r a t c a p m o c a s i s a g a N e h t f o t a t i b a h e h T . ) a m r u B (

e b n a c ” a g a N “ m r e t e h t f o n o i t n e m d r i h t y l r a e e h T . a i d n I h t u o S r a m n a y M n i o s l a s a a i d n I n i r u p i n a M , m a s s A , h s e d a r P l a h c a n u r A

d n a n r e t s e W d e t i s i v y e h t n e h w s k e e r G e h t y b 0 0 1 . D . A d n a f o s a e r a s u o u g i t n o c e h t d n a d n a l a g a N f o e t a t S n a i d n I n r e t s a E

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION and Barak Valley, visits the affected areas. The number of meetings (Venuh 2005: 18). He also had no real power to collect relief camps increase to 37 with 20,280 people. revenue. The village was controlled and administered by a group October: 16 houses burnt down. 3 men are feared killed of people like the warriors, the oldest men and the priest along in the attack, 2 women and 2 men injured and 8 persons with the representatives from the clans. Among the Sema and including 5 women are reported missing. The number of Konyak, the chief known as the “Angh” was the most powerful camps of camps grows to 42 with 22,111 persons. man in the village. Among the Sema, the chief was the ruler and October: 69 houses in 3 Karbi villages and 54 houses in 3 founder of the village, or a descendent of the chief because Dimasa villages are burnt down. chieftainship was hereditary. This is why when a person with The ethnic strife takes a turn for the worse with the Bodo outstanding abilities wanted to establish his authority or had a community being sucked into it after a Bodo young difference with the chief of his village, he went away from the person dies. Various Bodo organisations react angrily to village and established a new village. Among the Konyak, the it and blame the Government’s lackadaisical attitude to Angh was the supreme head of the community and had the the strife. political power to rule the people. As among the Sema, Angh- Karbi Anglong DC complains of a shortage of security personnel. ship among the Konyaks was hereditary and inter marriage was Rockybul Hussain visits Karbi Anglong for the second time possible only between the clans of the Anghs. It was the and meets various officials to take stock of the situation. responsibility of the Angh to keep his territory in peace and Manja police pick up 38 persons for interrogation. The Karbi justice, initiate war or conclude a peace treaty with his enemies. apex body, SKA appeals to all organisations in the state to His word was final in case of disputes of any nature. His power come forward to find a solution to the ongoing violence was highly autocratic. and promises them full co-operation. SKA also appeals to the state to shift the militant DHD designated camp from 2. The Lotha Nagas

50,966 a m g n e R . 1 1

15,908 y r u h c o P . 0 1 . s a g a N a h t o L e h t y b d e s u n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c

115,389 Phom 9. f o s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t e h t h t i w s l a e d t r a p d r i h t e h T . a h t o L

148,210 a h t o L . 8 e h t f o e r u t c i p l a r e n e g a s t n e s e r p d n a y l i m a f a g a N e h t n i h t i w

243,758 k a y n o K . 7 e b i r t a h t o L e h t s e t a u t i s t r a p d n o c e s e h T . y l i m a f a g a N e h t f o

38,137 n a g n u n m e i h K . 6 s e b i r t e h t f o e r u t c i p l a r e n e g a s t n e s e r p y a s s e e h t f o t r a p t s r i f e h T

19 r r i h C . 5 . s e p y t s u o i r a v f o s t c i l f n o c l a i c o s e v l o s o t s a g a N a h t o L e h t y b d e s u

60,885 g n a h C . 4 s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t e h t y f i t n e d i o t t r o f f e n a s i y a s s e s i h T

134,646 g n a s e h k a h C . 3

231,823 Ao 2.

d n a l a g a N , r u p a m i D 124,696 i m a g n A . 1

l e n n a h C e c a e P — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

g n u z E o m u l n a Y Population e b i r T f o e m a N

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e b i r T a g a N a h t o L e h t ) 1 0 0 2 ( d n a l a g a N n i s e b i r T a g a N f o n o i t a l u p o P . 1 e l b a T

y b d e t p o d A n o i t u l o s e R t c i l f n o C

. 1 e l b a T n i n e v i g s a s e b i r t t n e r e f f i d

f o s d o h t e M l a n o i t i d a r T o t d e g n o l e b y e h T . 2 9 6 , 1 4 7 , 1 s a w d n a l a g a N n i g n i v i l s a g a N f o

r e b m u n l a t o t e h t 1 0 0 2 n i , a i d n I f o s u s n e C e h t o t g n i d r o c c A

. s n e d r a g a e t y b

d e i p u c c o e r a s e g a l l i v e s e h t f o y n a m h g u o h t , y r o t i r r e t e g r a l a h t i w

m a s s A n i s e g a l l i v a g a N y n a m o s l a e r a e r e h T . s e t a t s n i h C e h t n i OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE KARBI COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT natural phenomena and through their faith in the power of magic The Christians forum of Dimapur requested all churches to and omens (Sema 1986: 35). observe 23td October as a ‘day of Prayer’. According to J. P. Mills (1973: 176), the real political units The relief camps increase to 45 with 26,429 persons. in the Naga tribes are the villages. In the past, each village was 18th October: 71 Dimasa houses burnt down. independent and had its own administrative system or village CPI(ML) representatives submit a memorandum to the Prime council that dealt with all the aspects of community life such as Minister of India. politics, social customs, economy and even religion. The village The number of relief camps reaches 46 with 26,842 persons. administrative system was self-governing under the village council. 19th October: Villagers from 14 Karbi villages in NC HILL The village council of elders had representatives of different clans, District take shelter in relief camps at Kheroni. and the number of representatives depended on the population 7 Karbis are feared killed in NC Hills district and several Dimasa of the clans. This representative character of the council and the houses in Karbi Anglong are burnt down. selection of the chief is a proof of the democracy practised by the The Assam governor visits the affected area s and some relief Nagas. The council dealt with all matters including the settlement camps. The number of relief camps grows to 47 with of disputes in the village. For this reason J. P. Mills considers the 26,870 persons. Nagas as republican by nature (Shimray 1985: 240). 20th October: About 50 Dimasa houses and 19 Karbi houses Though democratic and republican by nature, in the past burnt down. the pattern of administration and chieftainship differed between The number of relief camps increases to 49 with 42,627 persons. the Naga tribes. For the Ao and Lotha the warrior became the 21st October : Bodies of 9 unidentified persons are recovered in village chief. It was neither through appointment nor election, the Hojaipur area. but on the basis of his capability of being powerful and influential An All Party Delegation visits the district and meets or for his ability to collect the largest number of human heads representatives of both the communities. Curfew relaxed

. e g a u g n a l g n a s e h k a h C d n a s a m g n e R

, a m e S , i m a g n A s e s i r p m o c h c i h w p u o r g - b u s n r e t s e W e h T . 1

: s p u o r g e e r h t o t n i d e d i v i d e r a d n a l a g a N n i h t i w s e g a u g n a l a g a N

e h T . m e h t n e e w t e b n o i t a c i n u m m o c y l d n e i r f e l t t i l s a w e r e h t d n a

, d e t a l o s i e r e w s e g a l l i v n e h w t s a p e h t f o s n o i t i d n o c g n i v i l e h t f o

e s u a c e b y l n i a m s i s e g a u g n a l a g a N f o y t i c i l p i t l u m e h T . e g a u g n a l

l a i c i f f o r i e h t s i i l g n u h C h g u o h t , u p k a n i r e M d n a i k n a h C

, i l g n u h C , n e s g n o M , y l e m a n , s t c e l a i d r u o f s a h e g a u g n a l o A e h t

, e l p m a x e r o F . e b i r t a n i h t i w n e v e d n u o f e b o t s n o i t a i r a v e m o s . p p , e r t n e C

r e v e w o h e r a e r e h T . t c e l a i d d e h s i l b a t s e r o e g a u g n a l n w o r i e h t e v a h h c r a e s e R l a i c o S n r e t s a E h t r o N : i t a h a w u G . a i d n I t s a E h t r o N

s e b i r t a g a N e h t l l A . y l i m a f e g a u g n a l n a t e b i T - o n i S e h t f o p u o r g n i s e s s e c o r P e c a e P d n a g n i p p a M t c i l f n o C . ) d E ( r a z a L , n a l e e s a y e J

c i t s i u g n i l n a m r u B - o t e b i T e h t o t g n i g n o l e b s a s e g a u g n a l a g a N n i ” g n o l g n A i b r a K n i t c i l f n o C

e h t e s i r o g e t a c s t s i g o l o l i h P . s t c e l a i d s a d e i f i s s a l c n e t f o e r a m e h t i k u K - i b r a K e h t f o e s n o p s e R y t i n u m m o C “ . 8 0 0 2 . u l u B , g n a r e T

f o e m o s h g u o h t , e g a u g n a l n w o s t i s a h e b i r t a g a N y r e v E . i t a h a w u G . i b r a K f o y r o t s i H e h T . 3 0 0 2 . g n o l e r a B , g n a r e T

s t c e l a i D d n a s e g a u g n a L . ) e e j r a h c a t t a h B y a m n a T

y b n o i t c u d o r t n I w e N a h t i W ( . s n o i t a c i l b u P m u r t c e p S

. s t c e l a i d d n a s e g a u g n a l Guwahati: . s i b r a K e h T . 7 9 9 1 . s e l r a h C r i S , l l a y L & d r a w d E , k c a t S

n i y l l a i c e p s e d n a , e r u t l u c d n a s s e r d n i s e c n e r e f f i d e r a e r e h t . 9 7 3 - 3 7 3 . p p , a i d n I f o y e v r u S

, s e c n e r e f f i d l a c i s y h p h c u s m o r f t r a p A . s e b i r t s r e h t o f o e s o h t m o r f l a c i g o l o p o r h t n A : a t t u c l a C . e n O t r a P , V X l o V . m a s s A , a i d n I

e b i r t e n o f o e l p o e p e h t h s i u g n i t s i d o t e l b i s s o p s i t i s e c n e r e f f i d People of People . ) d e ( . S . K h g n i S n i ” i b r a K “ . 2 0 0 2 . N . N , a t p u g n e S

h c u s f o e s u a c e B . s e b i r t e h t n e e w t e b s l i a t e d e t u n i m n i s e c n e r e f f i d Variation.

e r a e r e h t s e r u t a e f d i o l o g n o M e v a h s a g a N e h t l l a h g u o h T l a r u t l u C d n a w a L , m o t s u C : a i d n I n r e t s a E - h t r o N f o s i b r a K Phangcho.

H KRI OMNT AD CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY KARBI THE RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION

October: More than 400 Karbi houses burnt down near for Naga languages. But unfortunately, there was no response Diyungbra in NC Hills. The NC Hills Autonomous from the people. Council condemns the killings and violence in Karbi Anglong. The DC of NC Hills has been providing food, Distinctive Features of Naga Tribes shelter and healthcare to about 3,215 inmates, both Karbi Each Naga tribes has its own established norms and and Dimasa at relief camps in the district. traditions, has its own colourful dresses, dances and festivals. In the past Naga society was basically rural in character. The Nagas Bibliography lived in villages and thus remained isolated from the rest of the world. Therefore, they kept their culture intact until the arrival Asian Centre for Human Rights. 2005. Lessons Not Learnt by of the British and of Christianity in the 19th century. Assam: Ethnic cleansing and internal displacement in Karbi Community spirit was the bond that knit together the entire Anglong and NC Hills. New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human social life of the Nagas. It was a society with high standards of Rights. honesty, sincerity and truthfulness. Bordoloi, B.N., G.C. Sarma Thakur and M.C. Saikia. 1987. Tribes The main occupation of the Nagas is agriculture. They of Assam – Part I. Guwahati: Tribal Research Institute. practise two methods of cultivation, namely, wet terrace Damzen, Joseph. 2008. “Response of the Youth to the Karbi-Kuki cultivation and jhuming or shifting cultivation. Their main food Conflict in Karbi Anglong” in Jeyaseelan, Lazar (Ed). Conflict crop is rice. But they also grow crops like potato, sweet potato, Mapping and Peace Processes in North East India. Guwahati: garlic, sugarcane, barley, cotton, beans, maize, millet, ginger, North Eastern Social Research Centre, pp. 54-93 and different spices. Though rice is their staple food, the Nagas Das, J.N. 1987. A Study of the Administration of Justice and the are generally non-vegetarian in their food habits. Tribals and Races of North-Eastern Region. Guwahati: Law The traditional religion of the Nagas is said to be animism.

f o m r o f e h t n i e b y a m e n i f a s e g a l l i v e m o s n I . e c n e f f o e h t f o r e h t o n s a w h c i h w n o s a e r r e h t o y n a r o f r o y t i l i b i t a p m o c n i

y t i v a r g e h t o t g n i d r o c c a s e i r a v t I . d e x i f t o n s i e n i f a s a d i a p e b o t r o y t i l e d i f n i s i h o t e u d d n a b s u h r e h t f e l e f i w e h t f I

t n u o m a e h T . y e n o m f o m r o f e h t n i d e i v e l s i e n i f a s e g a l l i v y n a m . e c r o v i d e h t n i

n I . s e n i f g n i s o p m i h t i w p u s d n e y l l a u s u d n a , d e n r e c n o c s e i l i m a f y t r a p d e g n o r w e h t s a n e e s s a w d n a b s u h e l i h w t s r e e h t , e g a i r r a m

e h t y b d e l t t e s e b y a m s n o i t a l e r l a t i r a m a r t x e f o e s a c A e h t f o s t s o c e h t f o t n e m y a p e h t g n i k a m r e t f a n e v e , r u o m a r a p

. y t e i c o s r i e h t y b n o p u n w o d d e k o o l a h t i w y a w a t n e w n a m o w a n e h w s e s a c n i m i h o t n e v i g s a w

t o n e r a n e r d l i h c e t a m i t i g e l l i d n a s r e h t o m d e i r r a m n U . n o m m o c y t i r o h t u a n a h c u s t a h t t c a f e h t t u B . y t i r o h t u a s i h t e s i c r e x e o t

y r e v t o n e r a y e h t h g u o h t , y t e i c o s a h t o L e h t n i d n u o f e r a d n a b s u h e l i h w t s r e e h t r o f y r o t a d n a m t o n s a w t I . e f i w e l i h w t s r e

n e r d l i h c o t h t r i b g n i v i g s w o d i w r o s r e h t o m d e i r r a m n u f o s e s a c s i h f o e g a i r r a m d n o c e s e h t e s i n g o c e r o t t o n y t i r o h t u a l a r o m

, y a w y n A . n o i t a u t i s s u o m a f n i d n a s u o i r o l g n i e h t r o f d e m a l b s i e h s e h t d n a b s u h e l i h w t s r e e h t e v a g s e g a l l i v e m o s f o ” i h t n a Y “ e h T

, d l i h c a o t h t r i b s e v i g l r i g d e i r r a m n u n a f i , s e g a l l i v e m o s n I . ” e g a l l i v e h t f o t i u r f “ e h t s n a e m y l l a r e t i l h c i h w , ” i h t n a Y “ s a n w o n k

. n e r d l i h c e h t p u g n i g n i r b f o t s o c e h t m i a l c d n a s e c i t c a r p d n a s n o i t i d a r t l a c o l f o t e s a s a h e g a l l i v h c a e , n o i t i d a r t

r e h t o m d e i r r a m n u n a s a e v i l y a m l r i g e h t r o , e f i w d n o c e s s i h f o a h t o L e h t n I . s e g a l l i v e s o h t f o s n o i t i d a r t e h t f o e s u a c e b d n a b s u h

s u t a t s e h t r e h e v i g d n a y l i m a f s i h o t n i n a m o w e h t e k a t y a m n a m e l i h w t s r e r e h y b d e s i n g o c e r e b o t d a h e g a i r r a m d n o c e s r e h s e g a l l i v

e h t , n r o b e r a n e r d l i h c r o d l i h c a f i t u B . n r o c s l a i c o s e m o s d n a e m o s n i , r e v e w o H . t s o c e h t r a e b d l u o w e h y l l a r u t a n , r u o m a r a p

e m o h t a t e i u q s i d t p e c x e s n e p p a h y l l a e r g n i h t o n , d l i h c a g n i v a h r e h h t i w y a w a t n e w e h s f I . s e s n e p x e e g a i r r a m s i h f o t r a p a k c a b

n i t l u s e r t o n s e o d p i h s n o i t a l e r e h t f I . l r i g d e i r r a m n u n a h t i w t e g d l u o w d n a b s u h e h t t u b , t s o c e c r o v i d s a d n a b s u h r e h m o r f

s n o i t a l e r l a t i r a m a r t x e n i g n i g l u d n i n a m d e i r r a m a f o e s a c e h t s i y e n o m f o t n u o m a l l a m s a y l n o t e g d l u o w e h s n e h t , y t i l e d i f n i

t n a t r o p m i e r o M . n a m o w d e i r r a m n u n a h t i w r o n a m o w d e i r r a m r e h f o e s u a c e b e f i w s i h y a w a e v o r d d n a b s u h e h t f I . t n e m y a p

a h t i w e b d l u o c n a m a f o t r a p e h t n o s n o i t a l e r l a t i r a m a r t x E e h t e k a m o t e v a h d l u o w y e h t , s t n e r a p r e h o t k c a b t n e w e f i w e h t

. y l i m a f r e h n o e n i f a f o m r o f e h t n i n a m o w y t l i u g e h t n o f I . d n a b s u h e l i h w t s r e r e h o t e g a i r r a m e h t f o t s o c e h t y a p e r o t

t n e m h s i n u p e l b a t i u s a d e s o p m i t i , y t i l e d i f n i f o y t l i u g d e e d n i s a w e v a h d l u o w e h s , d n a b s u h r e h f o t l u a f o n r o f y a w a t n e w e f i w e h t

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION daughters. This is usually done by the head of the family to parts of the district; 2) Sanis Range or Middle Range, which show his love and care for his daughter(s). But this act is not covers the middle part of the district; 3) Bhandari Range or traditional and hence cannot be taken as a part of the Lotha Lower Range. It is the outermost part of the district and extends tradition and customs from the Japukong range of Mokokchung district and gradually slopes down to the Assam plains in the north western side. Two Conflicts Based on Land of the most fertile valleys are in this range and they are the Baghty Conflicts based on land and natural resources are more and Tchiying valleys. common than any other type of conflicts. We shall study some cases where conflicts broke out over land and other natural Demographic features resources and see how they were resolved. The total population of the district in 2001 was 161,223 of whom 83,670 were males and 77,553 females. The sex Case Study 1 ratio was 927. The literacy rate was 80.55, with 85.35 for In a village, a man had a plot of land bordered by two males and 75.32 for females. However, educational levels were small streams. A dispute broke out between him and his not very high as only 5,988 or 5.34 percent of the literates neighbour when an approach road was being constructed. While were graduates. cutting the road, loose soil filled up the small streams and the The entire district is classified as rural, having 107 recognised traditional boundary was obliterated. This led to confusion villages with VDB, though according to the Census of 2001, between the owners of the two plots about the demarcation of there were 128 inhabited villages. The rural population was the boundary. Both sides marked their own boundaries and each 123,587 (76.66% of the total). The only urban centre was one claimed that his boundary was the actual one. Thus a conflict Wokha Town, the district Headquarters. broke out between the two neighbours. 153,983 persons or 95.51 percent of the total population

g n i t a e h C , y r e b b o R , g n i l a e t S e g a i r r a m e k i l n u t u b , d e s i n g o c e r s a w e c r o v i d y t e i c o s a h t o L n I

s n o i t a l e R l a t i r a m a r t x E d n a e c r o v i D n o d e s a B s t c i l f n o C

. s e s s e c o r p d n a s n o i t u t i t s n i l a n o i t i d a r t h g u o r h t d e v l o s e r y l l a u s u e r a

. r e t t a m e h t y e h t , r u c c o o d y e h t n e h w d n a n o m m o c t o n w o n e r a a e r a s i h t n i

f o y t i v a r g e h t o t g n i d r o c c a y r a v s e n i f e h T . s e n i f d n a s g n i n r a w s t c i l f n o c e c i t c a r p n i , s u h T . s n o i t u t i t s n i l a g e l d n a e v i t a r t s i n i m d a

e v l o v n i y l l a u s u s n o i s i c e d h c u S . g n i d n i b s i h c i h w n o i s i c e d w e n e h t r e v o s l i a v e r p w a l l a n o i t i d a r t e h T . s e n i f e m o s e s o p m i

a e v i g y e h t n e h T . s r e t t a m e t a g i t s e v n i o s l a y e h T . t c i l f n o c e h t n i o t d n e t , s w a l y r a m o t s u c e h t f o s n a i d o t s u c e h t g n i d u l c n i y t e i c o s

d e v l o v n i s e i t r a p e h t o t n e t s i l s r e d l e e h t , s e s a c h c u s n I . s r e d l e e h t l i v i C . h c r u h C e h t m o r f n o i t a c i n u m m o c - x e n i t l u s e r n a c d n a

o t d e t r o p e r s i t c i l f n o c y l i m a f a n e h w s e s a c e b y a m e r e h T l i v e l a i c o s a s a d e t a e r t s i t I . e l o h w a s a y t e i c o s r i e h t y b , r e t t a m

. e g a l l i v e h t f o r o t a h t r o f d n a , h c r u h C e h t y b d e v o r p p a s i d s i t u b , n o i t p o n a s i

n a l c e h t f o s r e d l e e h t o t s t c i l f n o c h c u s t r o p e r m o d l e s y l i m a f a f o e c r o v i D . e c r o v i d r o f n i o g y l i s a e t o n o d d n a n a i t s i r h C e r a s a g a N

s r e b m e m e h t e c n e H . y l i m a f e h t o t e m a n d a b a s g n i r b s r e d i s t u o a h t o L t s o m t n e s e r p t A . d n a l a g a N f o e t a t S e h t f o n o i t a m r o f

o t s t c i l f n o c h c u s g n i s o p x e e s u a c e b s r e b m e m y l i m a f f o t s o m y b e h t r e t f a n o i t a r t s i n i m d a f o s m e t s y s w e n f o n o i t c u d o r t n i

t e r c e s t p e k e r a s l e r r a u q y l i m a f , s e d i s e B . n o i t s e u q y n a t u o h t i w e h t s i e g n a h c f o r o t c a f d n o c e s e h T . y t i n a i t s i r h C o t n o i s r e v n o c

d e t p e c c a s i n o i s i c e d s i h e r o f e r e h T . y l i m a f e h t f o s r e b m e m e h t e h t s i t s r i f e h T . s e g n a h c t u o b a t h g u o r b e v a h s r o t c a f o w T

l l a o t r i a f e b o t d e t c e p x e s i e H . y l i m a f e h t f o s r e b m e m e h t l l a y b . d n i k r o h s a c n i e b d l u o c h c i h w , s e n i f d n a s e s n e p x e

d e t c e p s e r d n a d e r a e f , d e r e v e r s i y l i m a f e h t f o d a e h e h T . m e t s y s f o n o i t u t i t s e r h g u o r h t d e h s i n u p s a w y t r a p y t l i u g e h T

l a h c r a i r t a p e h t e v a h a h t o L e h T . m e h t h t i w s l a e d y l i m a f e h t followed.

f o d a e h e h t , e s i r a s t c i l f n o c h c u s n e h w a h t o L e h t g n o m A e r e w s w a l y r a m o t s u c l a c o l d n a e g a l l i v e h t f o s n o i t i d a r t e h T

. e r e h w y r e v e d n u o f e r a y e h T . s g n i l b i s n e e w t e b d n a n e r d l i h c . s r e d l e f o l i c n u o c e h t f o l e v e l e h t t a n e h t d n a

d n a s t n e r a p , e f i w d n a d n a b s u h n e e w t e b t s i x e n a c s t c i l f n o c , d e n r e c n o c s e i l i m a f e h t f o l e v e l e h t t a t s r i f n o i t u l o s a d n i f o t

h c u S . s t h g i f l a c i s y h p d n a s e g n a h c x e l a b r e v , s l e r r a u q , y s u o l a e j e d a m e r e w s t r o f f E . y t i n u m m o c e h t n i h t i w d e l t t e s e r e w y e h T

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION are generally slim and moderately tall, and women, as usual, are land, either snatching land from others or defending their land a little shorter than men. from aggressors because land and other natural resources were The language that the Lothas speak among themselves is their very existence. “Lotha”, also known as “Kyonyi”. This language has no dialectical As noted earlier, among the Lotha there are four types of variations, except for minor differences between the Upper Lotha land with regard to ownership: 1) village land which is owned and the Lower Lotha. This is not the case with Ao, which has by the village, 2) khel land owned by a khel of a particular clan, significant variations between regions. With others Lothas speak 3) family land owned by a family which is passed from father Nagamese, which is a simplified form of Assamese. Many Lothas to son and so on, and, 4) individual land owned by an individual. who have studied Hindi at school also use Hindi for Village land is owned by the village as a whole, and all the communicating with outsiders. The educated class can converse products and things produced from the village land are used in English fluently. and shared by the villagers. House building materials and other There are some cultural differences between the Lothas things which are of general use of the villagers are taken from living on the three ranges but such internal differences are not the village land. In most cases, the Village Council takes care of very significant. In general, the lifestyle of the Lotha Nagas is the village land. simple yet fascinating. It is simple because of their simple Clan land is owned by a clan. In almost all the established understanding of life, fascinating because their traditions are villages of the Lotha Nagas, every clan has its own land. It is undergoing changes due to modernisation and westernisation. controlled by a few representatives from among the members of The staple diet of the Lothas consists of rice, bamboo-shoots of the clan or by the head of the particular clan. The produce of the various types, fermented or dried fish, yam, vegetables, and meat, land is for the use of the members of that particular clan. Others which is a delicacy. Food is mostly boiled and spices are rarely may use the products of this land but only with due permission from the head or whoever is put in charge to look after the land.

o s l a s a w y t l i u g e h T . e g a l l i v o t e g a l l i v m o r f d e i r a v d e s o p m i d n a s e s s e c o r p l a n o i t i d a r t e h t d n a t s r e d n u o t y l n i a m d e t c e l e s s a e r a

e n i f f o t n u o m a e h t o s l A . e c n e f f o e h t f o y t i v a r g e h t n o d e d n e p e d d e t i m i l y l n o s r e v o c y d u t s t n e s e r p e h T . s m r o n d n a s w a l y r a m o t s u c

e n i f e h t f o t n u o m a e h T . d e s o p m i o s l a e r e w s e n i f e m o s , s e d i s e B f o w e i v e r p e h t e d i s t u o s e u s s i h t i w t l a e d s t r u o c y r a m o t s u c

. n e l o t s s e l c i t r a e h t f o e u l a v e h t m i t c i v e h t y a p o t e d a m s a w e h t s e s a c e m o s n i h g u o h t , e m e r p u s t s o m l a s a w w a l y r a m o t s u c

r e d n e f f o e h t , y t l i u g e b o t d n u o f s a w r e d n e f f o e h t f I . ) s ( n o i t c a e h t , l e v e l e g a l l i v e h t t A . s w a l y r a m o t s u c l a c o l e h t d e w o l l o f

r e h / s i h y f i t s u j d n a t n i o p d n a t s r e h / s i h t n e s e r p o t e m i t e u d s r e d l e e h t , s t c i l f n o c g n i v l o s e r d n a s e t u p s i d g n i l t t e s n I

n e v i g s a w r e d n e f f o e h t , s i h t r e t f A . r e d n e f f o e h t t s n i a g a t n i a l p m o c . s r e d l e e s e h t y b d e l t t e s s a w s e g a l l i v r e h t o h t i w r o e g a l l i v e h t

d e g d o l m i t c i v e h t h c i h w r o f d n a e c a l p k o o t n o i t a u t i s e h t n i e t u p s i d r o m e l b o r p y n A . e c i t s u j f o g n i s n e p s i d e h t d n a r e d r o

e r o f e b s e i t r a p o w t e h t n e e w t e b y t i s o m i n a r e h t o y n a s a w e r e h t d n a w a l f o e c n a n e t n i a m e h t r o f e l b i s n o p s e r e r e w y e h T . e g a l l i v

r e h t e h w t u o d n i f o t d e i r t y e h T . d e v e i r g g a e h t f o l i a t e d y r e v e d n a e h t f o ) n e m s e k o p s ( ” n a s E - o y h p E “ s a n w o n k o s l a e r e w y e h T

h c a e d e t o n i k o s t i Y e h t f o s r e b m e m e h T . i k o s t i Y e h t f o s r e d l e . e g a l l i v e h t n i l e h k y r e v e g n i t n e s e r p e r ” i t g n o T “ s a n w o n k s r e d l e f o

e h t e r o f e b s e c n a v e i r g r e h / s i h t i m b u s r o e c a l p o t e c n a h c t s r i f e h t y d o b a s a w e r e h t , e g a l l i v y r e v e n I . n w o r i e h t f o n o i t a r t s i n i m d a

n e v i g s a w m i t c i v e h t , g n i r a e h e h t t A . s y a d n e v e s n i h t i w m e h t d e r t n e c - e g a l l i v t n e i c i f f e n a d a h s a h t o L e h t , n o i t a r t s i n i m d a r i e h t f o

e r o f e b r a e p p a o t r e d n e f f o e h t d e n o m m u s s r e d l e e h t , i k o s t i Y t n e m h s i l b a t s e e h t d n a h s i t i r B e h t f o g n i m o c e h t o t r o i r P

s n o i t u t i t s n I l a n o i t i d a r T e h t f o s r e d l e e h t d e h c a o r p p a y r e b b o r f o m i t c i v a n e h W

. y l i m a f r e h r o s i h f o e m a n d o o g d n a n o i t a t u p e r

e h t y o r t s e d d n a y t l i u g d e g d u j d a n o s r e p e h t f o e f i l e h t n i u r . s t n e m p o l e v e d t n e c e r d n a n o i t a s i n r e d o m f o s e c r o f e h t o t

o t h g u o n e l u f r e w o p s a w t n e m g d u j g n o r w a e s u a c e b s a w s i h T e u d s d o h t e m e s e h t n i e c a l p n e k a t e v a h t a h t s e g n a h c e h t n i a l p x e

. t c i d r e v r i e h t g n i s s a p e l i h w s w a l f y n a d i o v a o t t s e b r i e h t d e i r t i k o t e d a m n e e b s a h t r o f f e n a t u B . n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c f o s d o h t e m

o s t i Y e h t f o s r e d l e e h t , e l b i s s o p s a r a f s A . h t i w g n i l a e d e r e w y e h t l a n o i t i d a r t e h t h t i w s l a e d y d u t s s i h t y l l a c i s a B . s w a l y r a m o t s u c

h c i h w r e t t a m e h t f o y t i x e l p m o c e h t n o g n i d n e p e d y d o b a s a r e d n u d e t c i v n o c e r e w o h w e s o h t n e v e d n a , n e m y a l , s w a l

s e m i t r e h t o t a d n a s l a u d i v i d n i s a s e m i t e m o s s t c i l f n o c d e v l o s e r y r a m o t s u c t u o b a w e n k o h w e s o h t , s r e d l e , s n o s r e p e l b a e g d e l w o n k

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The excommunication and expulsion from the village or which is passed from father to son and so on, and, 4) individual its locality is a very serious matter. This kind of penalty evolved land owned by an individual. from the idea that if one is banished from one’s own village or area, he/she will have no protection whatsoever. In former times, Social Organisation when tribal warfare was continuous, an exiled person became Every Lotha village is an independent unit, but leagues of an easy target for hostile head hunters. There was also the danger villages were formed in the past for purposes of war. In the past, of being exposed to wild animals. Thus expulsion was, in practice, each village was ruled by the village chief known as the “Tongti” equivalent to the capital punishment of the present day. It was with the assistance of the village elders. Mills (1922: 96) observes also an indirect elimination of the guilty for the offence that in some villages the chiefs had the privilege of free labour committed by him/her. of the villagers for cultivating their fields. The chieftainship It is very hard for a person to become a member of another was hereditary in the family of the man who originally founded clan or village. A person cannot be simply admitted or welcomed the village. But chieftainship had practically ceased already by another clan or village. In former times, it was believed that during the British period and the village came to be ruled by a evil times or things would befall the clan or the village. In case a group of elders (Mills 1922: 96). clan or village decided to welcome a newcomer, they would Among the Lothas, there are no specified hierarchical have to perform various rituals. One such ritual was passing divisions and no caste-like system of social stratification. The through the fire. The host clansmen would gather at a place and community is divided into phratries and clans. They are also make a huge fire and the person to be welcomed into the clan divided into two territorial divisions, the Northern Lothas and would have to strip off all his/her belongings and jump above the Southern Lothas. Some minor dialectical and cultural the burning fire from one side to the other. This would be differences are observed between them. Among the different followed by other rituals and chants. Only then the host clan or clan groups, no specific economic and religious relations are

y d u t S t n e s e r P e h t f o e r u t a N y n o m e r e c a h c u s t a h t d e v e i l e b s a w t i , y l d r i h T . r a e f f o t u o s y a w

s i h d n e m d l u o w e h t a h t o s m i h e r a c s o t s a w t i , y l d n o c e S . t i r p l u c

tribe. e h t f o s g n i o d g n o r w e h t n m e d n o c o t s a w t i , e c a l p t s r i f e h t n I

a g a N a h t o L e h t f o s m s i n a h c e m n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c l a n o i t i d a r t . s n o s a e r s u o i r a v r o f d e m r o f r e p s a w y n o m e r e c s i h T . t i r p l u c e h t f o

e h t t a k o o l l l a h s e W . s t c i l f n o c g n i v l o s e r r o f s n o i t u t i t s n i t i b a h d a b e h t t i r e h n i t h g i m y e h t t a h t r a e f f o t u o t a e m e h t t a e o t

d n a s m s i n a h c e m n w o r i e h t d a h , s e i t i n u m m o c l a b i r t y l l a i c e p s e n e d d i b r o f e r e w s r e t s g n u o y d n a n e r d l i h C . e g a l l i v e h t f o s r e d l e e h t

, s e i t e i c o s t s o m , w a l f o s t r u o c n r e d o m f o t n e m h s i l b a t s e e h t e r o f e b g n o m a d e t u b i r t s i d e r e w s e c e i p e h T . r i a h e h t g n i v o m e r t u o h t i w

t u B . s t r u o c e h t d n a e c i l o p e h t e k i l s e i c n e g a g n i c r o f n e w a l e r a s e c e i p o t n i t u c s a w g i p e h t n e h T . t i r p l u c e h t f o n e h c t i k e h t n i

t c i l f n o c h t i w g n i l a e d r o f s m s i n a h c e m t n a t r o p m i s e i t e i c o s n r e d o m d e r e t h g u a l s s a w t I . g i p e g u h a g n i t c e l e s y b n a g e b y n o m e r e c e h T

n I . l a s r e v i n u o s l a e r a s t c i l f n o c g n i v l o s e r r o f s m s i n a h c e m r o . e g a l l i v e h t f o s r e d l e e h t y b d e m r o f r e p s a w d n a y n o m e r e c y r a c s a

s d o h t e m , s t c i l f n o c e k i l , e r o f e r e h T . n o i t c u r t s e d n e v e d n a n o i s n e t s a w t I . e g a l l i v e h t f o ” i h t n a Y “ e h t o t g n i d r o c c a d e m r o f r e p s a w t i

, y n o m r a h s i d o t d a e l y e h t e s u a c e b l u f m r a h e r a s t c i l f n o c , m r o f d e t s i x e t i e r e h W . s e g a l l i v a h t o L e h t l l a n i d n u o f t o n s a w y n o m e r e c

r i e h t r e v e t a h W . e c n e l o i v t u o h t i w r o h t i w , s e h s a l c d n a s l e r r a u q s i h T . ” m u r g n u P “ s a n w o n k s i y n o m e r e c r o l a u t i r s i h T

, s e t u p s i d , s t n e m e e r g a s i d e k i l s m r o f t n e r e f f i d e k a t s t c i l f n o C . g n i l a e t s f o t i b a h e h t

. y t e i c o s d n a y t i n u m m o c , d o o h r u o b h g i e n , y l i m a f e h t n i : s p u o r g p u e v i g r e h / m i h e k a m o t r e d r o n i t i r p l u c e h t r o f d e t c u d n o c s a w

n i e v i l e l p o e p r e v e r e h w d n u o f s i d n a l a s r e v i n u s i t c i l f n o C l a u t i r l a i c e p s a , e g a l l i v e m o s n i d n a , e n i f h g i h y r e v a d e s o p m i

s e g a l l i v r e h t o , e g a l l i v e h t m o r f t i r p l u c e h t d e h s i n a b s e g a l l i v

the Past the e m o S . y l e r e v e s e r o m h t i w t l a e d s a w e h s / e h , s e m i t l a r e v e s d e n r a w

f o s e r u s a e M l a i d e m e R d n a s n o i t a u t i S t c i l f n o C 4. g n i e b r e t f a n e v e g n i l a e t s f o t i b a h e h t o t n i t o g n o s r e p a f I

. i k o s t i Y e h t f o t p m e t n o c

. n o i t u l o s e r t c i l f n o c r o f s n o i t u t i t s n i d n a s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t e h t r o f e n i f a y a p o t e d a m e b d l u o w e h s / e h , s n o m m u s e h t

d n a s n o i t a u t i s t c i l f n o c e h t e n i m a x e e w t a h t d n u o r g k c a b r e w s n a o t e r u l i a f s i h f o e s u a c e b , r e h t r u F . d e l b u o d e b d l u o w e n i f

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION peers were established during their stay in the Morung. This victim’s family might or might not report the matter to the system has changed and modern educational institutions have elders of the Yitso ki for action to be taken against the culprit(s). taken the place of the Morung. It was possible for the matter to be solved amicably by both the parties. However, more often than not, the matter was reported Marriage, Family and Status of Women to the Yitso ki for justice. The Lotha follow monogamy and clan exogamy. Rules If the crime was committed intentionally, the punishment about marriage are strictly followed. In the past there seems to was very high. The offender, and in some cases, the entire family have been the practice of marriage by service in which a boy of the offender, was asked to leave the locality and the village served the family of his prospective bride before marriage took for a specific period or even permanently. The guilty were place (Singh 1994: 113-114). condemned by the entire society and no mercy was shown to The nuclear family is the norm. The older sons establish him/her. He/she became unwelcome in the entire society. If a independent households when they marry. The youngest son person was killed inadvertently, for example in the course of continues to stay with the parents even after his marriage and hunting, fishing, playing, etc, the matters could be settled by inherits a major portion of the property. The head of the family the families of both the parties (the victim’s and the offender’s). is respected, feared and obeyed. Thus the system was patrilineal As far as possible, the members of both families tried to settle and strongly patriarchal. the whole affair between themselves. But if they were not satisfied The position of women was high. Women had almost with the settlement, they proceeded to the Yitso ki for justice. equal status with men in society because in every field of In some villages like Longsa, whether one was killed physical and domestic work, their work was of equal value. In intentionally or not, the matter was referred to the Yitso ki. fact, women worked more than men. There was no The Yitso ki in this case consisted of the elders of the village discrimination against women at home. But in matters of who were either selected or came from the hereditary lines of

n i s t r u o c n r e d o m e h t o t o g y e h t e r o f e r e h T . d e i f s i t a s t o n y l l a u s u s e i t r a p e h t y l l u f e r a c d e n i m a x e o s l a y e h T . y l l u f e r a c e c n e d i v e

e r a s e i t r a p e h t , n e v i g s i t c i d r e v e h t n e h w t u B . s t r u o c y r a m o t s u c e h t d e n i m a x e s r e d l e f o l i c n u o c e h t , e s a c a g n i d i c e d n I . 3

l a c o l t s e r a e n e h t r o l i c n u o c e g a l l i v e h t h c a o r p p a t s r i f e l p o e p . s e n i f g n i s o p m i y b h t i w t l a e d s a w d n a l i c n u o c e h t f o

, s e g a l l i v e h t n I . e c n e n i m e f o n o i t i s o p d n a s u t a t s e m a s e h t y o j n e t p m e t n o c s a d e t a e r t s a w s r e d l e f o l i c n u o c e h t y b d e u s s i s n o m m u s

t o n s e o d , o r e h a y l r e m r o f s a w o h w n a m d a e h e g a l l i v e h T e h t o t g n i d n o p s e r t o N . e s a c r i e h t n i a l p x e o t y t i n u t r o p p o

. s n o i t c n u f w a l y r a m o t s u c l a n o i t i d a r t y a w e h t t u o b a t n a r o n g i n a n e v i g e r e w e t u p s i d a n i d e v l o v n i s e i t r a p e h t l l A . 2

e r a e l p o e p t a h t e b o s l a y a m t I . d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t e h t n a h t . l l a f o e r a f l e w d n a d o o g n o m m o c e h t t u o b a

r a l u p o p e r o m s i e l p o e p e h t o t e c i t s u j g n i d i v o r p n i n o i t a r t s i n i m d a d e n r e c n o c e r e w y e h t t a h t d n a l a i t r a p m i d n a e s i w , e l b a e g d e l w o n k

f o y a w n r e d o m e h t t a h t s e i l p m i y l l a c i g o l s i h T . l a n o i s s e f o r p e r e w s r e d l e e h t t a h t s a w n o i t p m u s s a e h T . s t c i l f n o c

r o l a n o s r e p t i e b , e t u p s i d f o d n i k y n a g n i l t t e s r o f s e i t i r o h t u a d n a s e t u p s i d l a b i r t - r e t n i n e v e d n a e g a l l i v - r e t n i n i e l o r e v i s i c e d

l a g e l n r e d o m e h t o t h s u r s e c n e f f o s u o i r a v f o s m i t c i V . d e l t t e s a d e y a l p o s l a s r e d l e e h T . e g a l l i v e h t n i h t i w s e t u p s i d n i t r u o c a s a

e r a s e t u p s i d f o s d n i k l l a e r e h w s e m i t n r e d o m e h t f o s e i c n e g a d e n o i t c n u f s r e d l e f o l i c n u o c e h t , m e t s y s l a n o i t i d a r t e h t n I . 1

n i a m e h t e r a r e n o i s s i m m o C y t u p e D e h t f o e c i f f O e h t d n a . s w o l l o f s a d e s i r a m m u s e b n a c n o i t u l o s e r

) F E D ( e c r o F e v i t u c e x E t c i r t s i D , s e i t i l a p i c i n u M n w o T e h T t c i l f n o c f o s e s s e c o r p l a n o i t i d a r t e h t f o s e r u t a e f t n e i l a s e h T

. n o i t a r t s i n i m d a s i h n i r e n o i s s i m m o C y t u p e D e h t n o i t u l o s e R t c i l f n o C f o s d o h t e M l a n o i t i d a r T

t s i s s a o t d n a t c i r t s i d e h t f o k r o w l a t n e m p o l e v e d s i n r e c n o c n i a m

s ’ l i c n u o C l a n o i g e R e h T . s l i c n u o C l a b i r T e h t n i d n u o f m s i l a b i r t . s n o i s u l c n o c g n i w o l l o f e h t t n e s e r p o t e l b i s s o p

f o t i r i p s e h t f o e s u a c e b e n o d s a w s i h T . l i c n u o C l a n o i g e R s i t i , y d u t s e h t f o d n e e h t t A . s e p y t l l a f o s t c i l f n o c d n a s e t u p s i d

e h t y b d e c a l p e r s a w l i c n u o C l a b i r T e h t , o g a s r a e y e m o S h t i w g n i l a e d r o f s d o h t e m l a n o i t i d a r t d e h s i l b a t s e l l e w e r e w e r e h t

. n o i t c i d s i r u j s t i r e d n u s d u e f d n a y t e i c o s a g a N a h t o L e h t n i t a h t n w o h s s a h y d u t s f e i r b s i h T

s e t u p s i d e g a l l i v - r e t n i s e l t t e s o s l a t I . a e r a t a h t f o t n e m p o l e v e d

Conclusion f o s n a e m d n a s y a w s t s e g g u s d n a s e m e h c s t n e m p o l e v e d

RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Hutton, J.H. 1969. The Angami Nagas,. London: Oxford verdict of the Council, bites a sacred object and swears that his University Press. position is the correct one. Among the Lotha Nagas, the sacred Mann, R.S. 1979. Social Structure, Social Change and Future object in this case is the tooth of a tiger. Like other tribals, the Trends. Jaipur: Rawat Publishers.. Lothas hunt wild animals, including tigers. When they hunt a Mills, J.P. 1980. The Lotha Nagas. (2nd ed). Kohima: Directorate tiger they extract the tooth to be preserved as a prized and sacred of Art and Culture. Government of Nagaland. Nuh, V.K. 2003. The Naga Chronicle. Reprint, New Delhi: object. In the oath taking ceremony, the person taking the oath, Regency Publications holds the object between his teeth, invokes the spirits of his Sanyu, Visier. 1996. A History of Nagas and Nagaland. New ancestors, and asserts that his position is correct and just. The Delhi : Commonwealth Publishers. implication is that if he makes a false claim, he will be killed by Sema, Hokishe. 1986. Emergence of Nagaland, Socio-Economic a tiger. It is believed that if he makes a false claim, he and his and Political Transformation. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing family will, sooner or later, suffer various types of misfortunes House Pvt. Ltd like sickness and even death. This ceremony is so solemn and Shikhu, Inato Yekheto. 2007. A Rediscovery and Rebuilding of Naga serious that young people, especially children, are not permitted Cultural Values: An Analytical Approach with Special Reference to come anywhere close to the place where the ceremony takes to Maori. Delhi: Regency Publications. Shimmi Roland Y.L. 1988. Comparative History of the Nagas, from place. An oath taking or swearing ceremony is the final and Ancient Period Till 1826. New Delhi : Inter-India irrevocable step in the settlement of a dispute, and very few Publications. people dare to take such an oath. Shimray, R.R. 1985. Origin and Culture of Nagas. New Delhi: Samsok Publications. Case study 2 Singh, K.S. (ed) 1994. People of India: Nagaland. Anthropological In a village, there was a dispute between two persons over Survey of India. Calcutta: Seagull Books. the boundary of their land. After many attempts to solve the

y b n e s o h c s r e b m e m f o s t s i s n o c t I . e g a l l i v t a h t f o n o i t a r t s i n i m d a f o s e p y t l l a o t s d a e l s t i r i p s e h t g n i d n e f f o t a h t f e i l e b e h t y l r a l i m i S

r o f l i c n u o c e g a l l i v a s a h e g a l l i v d e s i n g o c e r y r e v E . d e s a e r c e d y l t a e r g s a h s t i r i p s e h t f o r a e f e h t , l a r e n e g n I . s u o i t i t s r e p u s

l i c n u o C l a n o i g e R e h t d n a l i c n u o C a e r A , l i c n u o C e g a l l i V d e r e d i s n o c s e c i t c a r p f o p u g n i v i g e h t d n a s t i r i p s n i f e i l e b e h t f o

g n i n e k a e w e h t s i y t i n a i t s i r h C o t n o i s r e v n o c e h t f o s e c n e u q e s n o c

. a i d n I f o s t r a p r e h t o y n a m t n a t r o p m i e h t f o e n O . s n a i t s i r h C w o n e r a s a h t o L e h t f o t s o M

n i d a h s i r a P a l l i Z d n a t a y a h c n a P n o a G e h t o t g n i d n o p s e r r o c . . n o i t a s i n r e d o m f o s s e c o r p e h t s i d n o c e s e h t d n a y t i n a i t s i r h C o t

, l i c n u o C l a n o i g e R d n a l i c n u o C a e r A , l i c n u o C e g a l l i V f o n o i s r e v n o c s i t s r i f e h T . s e g n a h c h c u s t u o b a t h g u o r b e v a h s r o t c a f

m r o f e h t n i t n e m n r e v o g - f l e s l a c o l f o m e t s y s r e i t e e r h t a o s l a o w T . d n a l a g a N f o e t a t S e h t f o n o i t a m r o f e h t r e t f a s e m i t t n e c e r n i

s i e r e h t t n e s e r p t a t u B . s t s i x e l l i t s t a h t m e t s y s a , t n e m n r e v o g d e h s i l b a t s e , m e t s y s l a g e l e h t r e d n u e c i t s u j g n i s n e p s i d s t r u o c e h t e k i l

d n a s r e g a l l i v e h t n e e w t e b s r e c i f f o n o s i a i l e h t s a t c a s m e t s y s n r e d o m d e l l a c o s e h t h c a o r p p a o t y c n e d n e t g n i w o r g a s i

s a r u B n o a G e h T . t n e m n r e v o g e h t y b d e v o r p p a t u b , s r e g a l l i v e r e h t , n o i t c n u f o t e u n i t n o c s e s s e c o r p l a n o i t i d a r t e l i h W . s d o h t e m

e h t y b d e t c e l e s s r e d l e e g a l l i v e r a s a r u B n o a G e h T . a r u B n o a G l a n o i t i d a r t e h t n i s e g n a h c e m o s y f i t n e d i o t e l b i s s o p s i t I

s d o h t e M l a n o i t i d a r T e h t n i s e g n a h C f o n o i t u t i t s n i e h t f o n o i t c u d o r t n i e h t s a w e g n a h c t n a t r o p m i

e n O . n o i t a r t s i n i m d a e g a l l i v f o m e t s y s e h t n i t u o b a t h g u o r b

e r e w s e g n a h c e m o s , n o i t a r t s i n i m d a h s i t i r B f o t n e m h s i l b a t s e . e u n i t n o c d l u o c e f i l y t i n u m m o c t a h t o s

e h t h t i w t u B . e g a l l i v a h t o L y r e v e n i d n u o f s a w t n e m n r e v o g y n o m r a h e r o t s e r o t s a w m i a e h T . d e v l o v n i e r e w e g a l l i v e h t d n a

- f l e s f o m e t s y s e h t , h s i t i r B e h t f o g n i m o c e h t o t r o i r P n a l c e h t e k i l s l e v e l r e h g i h e h t , d n u o f t o n s a w n o i t u l o s a n e h w

The Modern Trend Modern The y l n o d n a , l e v e l y l i m a f e h t t a d e v l o s e b o t t h g u o s e r e w s e t u p s i d

y l i m a F . d e r r u c c o t s r i f t i e r e h w l e v e l e h t t a n o i t u l o s a d n i f o t

. d e m u s e r n o o s r a w f o e m a g e h t e s u a c e b y r a r o p m e t e r e w e d a m e r e w s t r o f f e , e r o f e r e h T . y t i n u m m o c e h t f o g n i n o i t c n u f

s t n e m e l t t e s h c u s y l l a u s U . l a e m a h t i w t i d e l a e s d n a t n e m e l t t e s a h t o o m s d n a e f i l y l r e d r o e h t o t l u f m r a h s a n e e s e r e w , s e n o

d e t a i t o g e n d n a y r a d n u o b e h t n o r e h t e g o t t e m s r o d a s s a b m a e h t l a b i r t - r e t n i d n a e g a l l i v - r e t n i g n i d u l c n i , s e t u p s i d e h t l l A . 6

OH CNLC RESOLUTION CONFLICT LOTHA RDTOA MTOS F OFIT RESOLUTION CONFLICT OF METHODS TRADITIONAL

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION LOTHA CONFLICT RESOLUTION

It can be seen from the two cases that there are well Looking towards the Future established traditional methods of conflict resolution. The elders Though the traditional processes and institutions of conflict and the traditional courts or the councils play a definite role. resolutions have become weak, the ideology behind them is still They are expected to be impartial and fair. The parties are given relevant. This ideology is based on the primacy of the an opportunity to state their case. If the decision of the court is community and on the system of religious beliefs in the activity not accepted by any of the parties, there is recourse to the of the spirits in the world of human beings. The sense of the traditional practice of oaths. However, people are not always community must be strengthened. At the same time, Christian willing to swear an oath because of their fear of the spirits. Even beliefs and principles must be made part of the Lotha outlook. today, in Naga societies recourse to oaths is considered the If this happens, the traditional methods can be included in the ultimate means for solving disputes of all types. present institutions of the village councils and the area councils. They can, then, interpret the customary laws and practices in Inter-village Conflicts the present day changing g situation. In the past disputes and conflicts between Lotha villages were rare mainly because land was abundant and population * * * * * was thin. If a dispute did arise, messengers were sent to the villages in order to fix a day for a meeting of the elders of the villages Personal meetings and interviews concerned. On the appointed day, the elders met on the path half-way between the villages. If the dispute was caused by the 1. Chubao Murry, G.B. Baghty Town on 27th August, 2009 action of an individual, and if he was found to be guilty, he was 2. Chubathung, Chairman Longsa Village Council on 13 fined. The settlement of the dispute culminated with the elders January, 2010 eating together. 3. Thungbemo Patton (Lawyer), Head Master, SMB School