one of the oldest sub-divisional headquarters. The newly created district has a total population of about 60000 and seven administrative circles. The new district comprises the administrative units of Longding (HQ), Kanubari (ADC HQ), Pongchau Circle, Wakka Circle, Pumao Circle, Launu Circle and Chubam Circle. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the newly created district is Shilpa Shinde.

Arunachal Pradesh got its 17th district Longding when the state assembly passed out ‘The Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Organization of Districts) (Amendment) Bill,’ 2011 by voice vote on 26th September 2011 and notified on 9th December 2011. Longding which began its journey from a humble village attained the status of a full fledged district of Arunachal Pradesh on 19th March 2012 and with the creation of this youngest district, the day will be inscribed in golden letters in the annals of the Wanchos’ chequered history.

The district which shares borders with Myanmar to the south, Konyak area of Nagaland to the west, Assam to the south west and now with Tirap district to the east is inhabited by the Wancho tribe one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.  The Wancho community is a bold and spirited community and can rightly be called the abode of rich cultural heritage. They live in their own independent way by emulating their own ethos, traditional heritage, cultural identity and ethical treasures of immense values. The people are dependent mainly on shifting cultivation.

Chieftaincy, with the Chief the Wangham as the head still prevails in the Wancho villages. The Wanchos celebrate various fairs and festivals. All these festivals differ in the time of celebration, type of rituals performed during the celebration and the place or location of the festival but these festivals are in one way or the other directly or indirectly related with agriculture and Mother Nature. Oriah is the most important of all the festivals celebrated by the people. Wanchos are known for their rich cultural mosaic, very colourful dresses and ornaments and their war dance draws the attention of one and all when and wherever presented. Occupation of the Wancho tribe is primarily based on agriculture but they also remain engaged in other work like hunting, fishing, basketry, smithy, bead work, pottery, weaving and others.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in his address to the cheering crowd assured a number of path breaking projects for the new district. He said that with the creation of this district a new child has been born and it is up to us to nurture and take care of it and make it grow. The Chief Minister terming himself as the father promised to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the newborn while also requesting the people to remain patient as it takes time for a child to grow.

Admitting that Longding is an ideal place with the potential to become a model township, the Chief Minister advised the district administration, its political leaders and seniors of the district to coordinate and evolve a proper and perfect plan for the development of the township. With proper and perfect planning, the new district will soon witness a sea change in all developmental activities. Assuring sufficient funds for the district, the Chief Minister announced the creation of a mini Secretariat at Longding which will house the district administration as well as all government departments for the convenience of the needy. Besides this, he also assured a new circuit house and a mini-stadium for the new district at Longding. Tuki also announced the establishment of model degree colleges at Longding and Jairampur of Changlang district besides a polytechnic each at Miao of Changlang district and Khonsa of Tirap district.

Congratulating the people on the new district, the Finance, Planning and PWD minister assured cooperation on his part for all round development of the district. The three elected representatives of the new district-Newlai Tingkhatra, Thangwang Wangham and Honchum Ngandam also congratulated the people and profusely expressed gratitude to Tuki for his promptness in clearing the creation of the new district.

From the lips of every Wancho there were words of praise and appreciation for those who had contributed their support and cooperation to realize their dream.

Echoing the sentiments of the people on the newly created district, Chief of Chanu Village Hatwang Wangham, former PRI leader Jarkha Wangpam, Sangam of Russa village, Thaknai Wangsu and Sinawati Wangsu of Launa circle, and Chief of Zedua village all had feelings of joy and they expressed hoped that with the creation of this new district the Wancho people won’t be deprived of development and will see positive development such that the Wanchos will soon be at par with the rest of the state.

Now we can only hope that with the creation of the new district, the aspiration and long felt demand of the people will be met and the government will be enabled to run the administration effectively to achieve speedy development on all fronts.

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom