The West Karbi Anglong district is a new district formed out of the existing Karbi Anglong district of Assam in 2015. Hamren is the headquarter of the newly formed district. The district is part of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and administered according to the provisions of Sixth Scheduled of the Indian Constitution.
History
The hill tribes of Northeast India were independent of the settled empires around them prior to the British colonisation of the region. After the recommendation of Simon Commission, the hills area (Now present district, Karbi Anglong district, Dima Hasao district) was given a different status under Section 92 of the Government of India Act 1935: Mikir Hills was placed under the “Partially Excluded Areas”. The Govt. of Assam, which means had no jurisdiction over the excluded areas which were administered directly under the special power of the Governor.
During mid-1930: Political leaders Semsonsing Ingti, Seng Bey, Khorsing Terang, etc. emerged from this particular area. In 1937, these leaders, in a memorandum to Assam Governor, Sir Robert Neil Reid, at Mohungodijua, demanded a separate hill district for Mikirs. A regional political forum, called Karbi-A-Durbar, was formed to intensify the movement.
After Independence of India, the hill district was formed by the name of United Mikir & NC Hills on 17 November 1951 under Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Since then, the district has been constant part of Autonomous State demand movement. The District was later divided into Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills district on 2 February 1970.
In 2016, Karbi Anglong district was further divided into two, of which the west part (comprising Donka revenue circle), including Hamren, Baithalangso (Vothatlangso) and Dongkamukam and other adjoining areas formed the new district of West Karbi Anglong to develop the mass rural area. Hamren is the headquarters of the newly created district.
Geography
Karbi Anglong plateau is an extension of the Indian Plate (The Peninsular Block) in the Assam of India. This area receives maximum rainfall from the Southwest summer Monsoon from June through September. The eastern part of this region is plain and the western part is mostly covered with hills. The important rivers of this district are: The Myntriang River, Karbi Langpi River, Kopili river and Amreng river. Among these rivers, Hydro Electric Project have been set up on the Myntriang and Karbi Langpi rivers.
Administration
The district is administrated under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. CEM is the Chief executive of the district, supported by 14 Executive Member of the Council. The Principal Secretary (generally an officer selected from IAS/ACS cadre) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is the administrative head of the district. The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the maintenance of law & order, and administration of justice.
Hamren is the district headquarter. The district has one sub-division, namely Hamren sub-division, and one Revenue circle, Dongkamukam.
Police station
West Karbi Anglong district have three police station namely Hamren PS, Baithalangso PS, and Kheroni PS.
Demographics
As of the 2011 census, West Karbi Anglong district has a population of 295,358. Indigenous communities such as Karbis, Garos, Bodos and Hill Tiwa form majority of the population, comprising 193,518 which is 65.52% of the population. Scheduled Castes and 11,438 which is 3.87% of the population. Other communities that migrated to West Karbi Anglong district include Bengalis, Biharis and Nepalis during the British rule.
Religion
Animisim are the largest community making up 2,34,833 which is 79.51% of the population. Christians are 56,538 which is 19.14% of the population.
Language
Languages of West Karbi Anglong district (2011)
As of the 2011 census, 49.68% of the population spoke Karbi, 10.37% Bhojpuri , 6.98% Nepali, 5.89% Bengali, 5.73% Garo, 5.43% Tiwa, 4.69% Assamese, 3.27% Khasi, 3.18% Hindi, 1.45% Dimasa and 1.28% Boro as their first language.
Transport
The district headquarter Hamren is well connected by road. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Transport buses ply at regular interval from district headquarter to important places like Guwahati, Nagaon, Diphu, Lanka, Hojai and Jowai.
Notable town and place of interest
- Hamren
- Baithalangso
- Dongkamukam
- Shikdamakha
Notable people
- Semsonsing Ingti