HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 13: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, on Sunday said there are notable similarities between the traditional practices of the Karbis and those of the Israelites.
The CEM made the remarks during a two-day programme held in the Duarbagori Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) constituency, where he inaugurated several schemes and attended the Karbi Aron Barim Chingrum Amei — a gathering of indigenous faith practitioners.
He also interacted with social organisation leaders, religious representatives, and intellectuals from the area.
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On the first day of the programme, Ronghang inaugurated the Deithor Market Complex constructed under the APART scheme and the Deithor VDC Bhawan at Deithor.
Addressing the Karbi Aron Barim Chingrum Amei at the Semson Sing Engti Open Stage, the CEM said, “Christians have a church and the Bible as their guide, but the Karbi Aron Barim have no written scriptures or designated place for gathering. The KAAC will provide ₹1 crore in each of the 26 MAC constituencies for constructing Karbi Aron Barim offices and community spaces.”
Highlighting the cultural links, Ronghang said, “When Elwin Teron, Executive Member of KAAC, Suryo Rongphar, and others visited Israel, they found that the Israelis still follow their age-old beliefs. They observed practices such as sprinkling him alang (water mixed with rice flour) on the entrance of houses during rituals — a tradition also seen among the Karbis. There are many such similarities. Of the 12 tribes of Israel, one was lost. Perhaps the Karbis are that lost tribe, though the Mizos are also claiming it.”
He informed that 5,000 bighas of land at Langvoku have been allotted for the proposed Karbi Aron Barim Centre.
Ronghang added that during his recent meeting with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, the minister had assured to sanction ₹300 crore from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the preservation and promotion of Karbi indigenous faith and culture.
On the second day of the programme, the CEM inaugurated the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) school, Lokhimon English LP School, a guest house, a mass dining shed, and a public toilet at the Lokhimon Ashram in Dolamora.
Later, he attended a mass joining programme at Dirring organised by the Duarbagori BJP Mondol Committee, where a large number of workers and supporters from opposition parties, including the Congress and APHLC, joined the BJP.
The event was also attended by BJP EKADC president Roland Killing, MLA Darsing Ronghang, KAAC Executive Member Richard Tokbi, KAAC Deputy Chairman Avijit Kro, and other dignitaries.
