History

CHRONOLOGY OF NAMSAI DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FEW IMPORTANT PHASES OF HISTORY

Namsai District comes to its existence on 15th July ’2014 with the third bifurcation of Lohit District. Lohit district was a part of Lohit Frontier Division (LFD) from 1954-1965 with headquarter at Tezu. Lohit Frontier Division was a part of sadiya Frontier Tract (Mishmi Hills District) with its headquater at Sadiya prior to 13th August 1952. Sadiya was the seat of administration not only during British India rule but also during ruler of Ahoms. Understanding the administrative development of Namsai District is therefore always begins with understanding the chronology of Sadiya.

Sadiya-the seat of administration

Mention of sadiya can be traced back in mythology epic Mahabharata and believed to be the kingdom of Bhismak Raja. Rukmini, the queen of Lord Krishna was the daughter of Bhismak Raja of this place (‘’Rukmini Haran” composed by Sankardev ). As such Sadiya had a reputation of administrative might from time immemorial. Presence of Parasuramkund, tamreswari temple, Sivalinga and mention of this region in Kallika puran, Bishnu puran etc indicates its religeo-cultural importance in ancient India.

Accounts of Hiuen Tsang,the great Chinese scholar (who visited india in 642AD) mentioned this region and its people. It was indicated in the accounts that a faction/sub-tribe of Bodos, may be chutiyas & Kacharis inhabited in this place. The Chutiyas were ruling the plain areas of north bank and the eastern part in the south bank of Brahmaputra around Sadiya before the advent of Ahoms (Tai or Shan origin of Yunnan provice of china). The adjoining hills were self-governed by numerous hill tribes such as Mishmi, idu, Adi, Miri, etc.

Annexation of Sadiya by suhungmung in 1523

The Ahoms migrated through the Patkai range and King Su-ka-Pha established his kingdom at Saraideo in 1228AD. King Suhungmung or Dihingia Raja greatly extended the kingdom inBuri Dihing and Noa-Dihing area. He had a tough fight with the Chutiyas in the easternmost & northern part of river Brahmaputre/Lohit up to the foothills. After several attempts, the Ahomsin 1523AD defeated Chutiyas and Sadiya was annexed. As such in 1523AD the administration of Sdaiya was taken over by Ahoms, who ruled through appointment of Ahom viceroy “Sadiyakhowa gohain”. As a result the adjoining hill tribes of present Arunachal came in direct contact with Ahom rulers. These tribes were remained concerns for Ahoms as they used to plunder over plains and take away life and property. As a part of appeasement policy in some part especially in northern bank “Posa” was paid to nthe tribesmen. Many conflicts of Ahom rulers with these tribes were recorded in Ahom historyand many remaind unrecored. One of the major conflicts in this region was that of Sadiyakhowa Gohain with Misshmis during Suklampha or Ramdhaj Singh who sent his Borphukan and completely defeated the Mishmis in 1675. The later surrendered and agreed to help and cooperate with khowa Gohain in future. The Khamptis who are also Tai nor Shan tribes entered into this region in 1751 throughthe Patkai and settled in Tengapani area. Through they were basically wet rice cultivators but possessed great skill of wafare and were great warrior. Another warrior tribe followed through Patkai was the Singphoos who due to the Muamoria/Muttak rebellion during Gaurinath Sigha easily conquered Buri-Dihing, Noa –Dihing and also some part of tengapani areas and pushed the Khampties eastward in 1793. They had many feuds and fights over control of areas with the Ahoms , Muttoks and Khamptis and amongst the various chiefs within.

Ouster of Ahom Sadiya Gohain by Khamptis and capture of Sadiya in 1794

During the troublesome period of Ahom King Gauri Singh (Muttok Rebellion), due to fear of religious imposition, Khampti supported by Singphoos of Ningru & Lakang ousted the Ahom Sadiyakhowa Gohain and installed Khampti chief “Chow Mu ngan Lung” son of Chowngi Luinkieng kham alias “Bura Raja” as Sadiyakhowa Gohain in 1794. Thus Sadiya went to the rule of Khamtis of Tengapani (Namsai). The weak successive Ahom kings didn’t have any options but to accept the Khampti chief as the Sadiyakhowa Gohain.

Burmese Incursion & singpho attack on Sadiya (1824-1825)

As Khampti’s were enjoying supremacy in the region and the Muttoks were in the helm of Ahom affairs, singphoos did not enjoy such privileges and were not satisfied. The Burmese incursion of June 1824 prompted singphoos to attack Sadiya and Muttok Kingdom. They captured Sadiya and imprisoned the Sadiyakhowa Gohain. At this development, Bor-Senapati of Muttok and Sadiyakhowa Gohain requested the British for help who were fighting the Burmese at that time. The British-khampti-Muttok alliance proved disastrous for Singphoos. Most of the Singphoo chiefs came to an agreement with Governor General’s agent Mr David Scott when the later visited Sadiya and accepted the terms of agreement. Mr David Scott recognized “Chow Salan” the son of Khampti Sadiyakhowa Gohain as the lawful ruler of Sadiya and allowed him to collect poll tax from Assamese of Sadiya area. One British garrison with British officers was stationed at Sadiya to keep the unruly hill tribes at bay.

The Yandaboo Treaty of 1826 and beginning of British rule

By the end of Anglo-Burmese war British supremacy in the North East was established through the treaty of yandaboo in February 1826. As a consequence of the war entire Ahom Kingdom brought under British rule (East India Company). During the war period (1924-26) discoveries of Tea (probably in Singphoo village), coal (Ledo) and petroleum (Digboi) in nearby areas of Sadiya encouraged the East India company activity consider to take over the rule and as such along with Assam, rule of Sadiya went to the hands of British. During this phase of rapid political change, the East India Company Government was also exploring possibilities of trade with China through adjacent mountainous tract. Many officers were sent to penetrate deep into the hills eg- Lt Burlton to Mishmi Hills, Captain Bedford to Pasighat, Lt Wilcox to Subansiri Basin in 1825. In 1826 Wilcox again sailed into Siang basin and in 1827 into Mishmi areas for expeditions, sometimes for arbitrations and sometime for punitive action to protect their trading interests. Captain Neufville in the meantime was slowly extending administrative penetrations in to the Adi & Idu areas of sing & Dibag.

End of Khampti rule at Sadiya

The increasing dominance of British was not accepted by various tribes who till then were rule by their chiefs. In 1835 Khampti chief Chow Rang Pha Gohain succeeded his father. In this year a quarrel broke out between Bor Senapati of Muttok with Sadiyakhowa Gohain over a tract of land near Saikhowa. To set out the dispute the British Officer at Sadiya summoned both of them for arbitration. But the Khampti chief already annoyed with the functioning of British defied the orders. At this the British Officer removed Chow Rang Pha from Sadiyakhowa Gohainship and took over the control of Sadiya directly. Khampti chief was sent to Gauhati as interm. But in the same year Singphoo rebellion under Duffa Gam attacked the Bisa Gam (whom the British treated as the Singphoo chief). Khampti’s rendered man & material help to the British for a decisive subjugation of the Singphoo rebellion near Manabhoom of Namsai. A British outpost at Ningroo was the help Khampti chief Chow Rang Pha was released from Gauhati but he could not gain the lost pride.

Famous war of Independence by Khampti’s in 1839

Rumours’ of union of Khampti’s, singphoos, Muttoks, Mishimis, Khamiyangs against the British receives at Sadiya. Khampti chief Chow Rang Pha was summoned and warned of any such activity. The insult of their chief infuriated the Khampti’s. Accumulation of anger over repeated attacks on the pride of the institution and a sense of probable imposition of tax prompted them to teach a lesson to the British ruler at Sadiya.

In January 1839, a revolt was designed by few Khampti chief – Chow Rang Pha Gohain, Tao Gohain, Kaptan gohain, Chow King Gohain etc. on 19th January 1839, Chow Pha Plung Lu Gohain the son of Chow Ai Noy Luinkieng Kham or Deka Raja led a troop of 500 Khampti warrior and attacked the Sadiya Poast. The killed Colonel Adam White, the British agent at Sadiya and 80 others. The Assam infantry at the post could not resort much counter attack. The news reached Dibrugarh and a punitive force was immediately dispatched to Sadiya. The Khampti’s retreated and sought refuge in Mishmi Hills and Singphoo villages. British troops searched every Khampti-Singphoo villages in Namsai (Ningroo) Tengapani (Chowkham), Noa-Dihing (Bordumsa) etc., even they burnt down entire village of Dirak Gohain Goan. The Khampti rebellion lasted till 1844 when the last Khampti group surrended who helped the Singphoo to attack Bisa Stockade. British with firm hand dealt the combined uprising of Bisa Gam, Ningrola, Lat Gam was pronounced guilty and imprisoned for life at Dibrugarh.

With a sinister design to disintegrate the Khampti’s, British relocated them at various places. In Assam-Chow Tang Gohain allies Sisi Raja along with 400 followers deported to Demaji, Chow La Gohain a son of late Sadiyakhowa Gohain along with 500 followers deported and settled at Narayanpur, Chow King Gohain and 200 others were settled in Dibrugarh, Few Khampti who surrendered lately were allowed to settle in sunpura area above Sadiya and other remained at Tengapani area of Arunachal Pradesh. the main accused son of deka raja Chow Pha Plung Lu allies Ranuwa Gohain preferred to die like a hero while fighting with British troops and didn’t surrendered.

Frans jenkin the agent of British East India company pronounced by an agreement of 1842 that whole of Noa-Dihing & Tengapani up to foothills fell under direct British Rule to be administered by political agent at Sadiya. This simultaneous move by British against Khampti’s, Singphoos and Muttoks proved to be the decisive blow to any attempt for dominance over Sadiya by the later. This long freedom struggle of brave Khampti & Singphoo should have got more national recognition.

Murder of Mr Krick & M Bouri by Ka-E Sha and punitive expedition in Mishmi Hills:

Under the guidance of Chow Keng Gohain, the Khampti chief, Mr Krick , a French missionary travelled up to walong in 1851. Again in 1854 Mr Krick & Mr M Bouri undertook a journey aimed to reach Tibet (Rima). They had a quarrel with a Mishmi village chief named Ka E Sha (may be Manyu clan) who in return murdered both off them and plundered over their belongings. A punitive action was initiated against the Mishmis under Col Shankespeare of Assam Rifles assisted by Khampti volunteers & commanded by Lt Eden who successfully apprehended Ka-E-Sha. After trail he was hanged to death in January 1871. This punitive expedition established British influence up to Indo-Tibet boarder i.e. Rima. There after various Mishmis troubled the British but firmly all were kept quiet and supremacy of the British established in the Mishmi hills.

Shift of Indian rule from East India Company to the Crown in 1857-58

Aftermath of the first Indian Independence struggle or Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 the rule of India went directly to the Crown. The Bengal Frontier Regulation act of 1873 demarcated the Inner line of the excluded areas of British rule which paved the way in long run for demarcation of boundary with Assam. Expeditions in Siang (Adi area) and Dibang (Idu Mishmi area) were undertaken with the aim to penetrate deep into the hills up to Tibet (china) by various British Officers and had numberous skirmishes with the local tribes. During 1877-78 R.G. woodthorpe eastablished the Nizamghat post in Dibang valley. In 1880 an Idu Mishmi chief Kalo Dai declared allegiance to the British government at Sadiya.

Appointment of J F Nidham as the First Asstt. Political Officer in 1882

On 8th Nov’1882, Mr J F Nidham was appointed as Asstt. Political Officer of Sadiya under the Political) 0fficer of Lakhimpur District with its HQ at Dibrugarh. He was there up to 1905. This was the starting of Administrative set up in Arunachal Pradesh. J F Nidham exptensively undertook expeditions in Mishmi Hills to reached Rima and had a cordial discussion with Dzongpa in 1885, Abor expedition in 1893, Idu Mishmi punitive expedition in 1899-1900.
Here one must understand the reason behind the continuous expeditions by British Government. These expeditions were conducted to access the Dalai Lama Ruled area which stretched from Lasa to Burma and located strategically between China & India. Lord Curzon the then viceroy of India launched an armed expedition to Lasa in 1904 under Col young husband and as a result the Tibetan Authority signed the Anglo-Tibetan treat in 1904. By recognizing the Tibetan state in between British India and China, Lord Curzon actually achieved to create a thin buffer Zone. This treaty was confirmed by the Anglo-China Treaty of 1906, as at that time the Chinese did not had other option to stop British from moving inwards into mainland China. Aftermath of this agreement and during the imperialistic Government of Manchu’s in china various batches of Mayors & Zakhrings migrated to adjoining hills of Arunachal and allowed to settle there.

Murder of APO Neol Williamson & Gregorson in komsing & its effects

In 1905 Neol Williamson replaced Mr J F Nidham as APO of Sadiya. He also undertook extensive expeditions into hills of Abors, Mishmis & Idus to reach the buffer zone or boarder with Tibet. Accompained by Khampti chief Chouna Gohain, Mr willamson reached Rima in 1907 and had discussions with the garrison at Rima. Again in 1910, on reported incursions of China, he visited Walong. The Garrison from Rima came down to meet him at walong. In 1911 Mr willamson accompanied by Dr Greorson, Nepali coolies and a Mishing interpreter travelled through the Abor hills to investigate a report of epidemic outbreak. At Kebang & Komsing village both were killed by few Adis due to misinterpretation by the Mishing guide. The largest expedition was launched against Adis under the command of GOC major gen H Bower on 24th july 1911. The expedition turned to be the decisive one and the Adis were compelled to accept the British supremacy. The main accused, Matmur jamoh was tried and sentenced to death. Other accomplished were arrested and sentenced to death. Other accomplished were arrested and deported to syllet. Thus the Siang belt brought under the administrative control of sadiya.

Demarcation of the McMahon Line & division of North East frontier in 1914

In 1913 the Tibetans proclaimed independence from china. To settle the issue a tripartite conference of british india ,Tribetan and Chinese Government was convened at Shimla in April 1914. The outcome was an agreement on fixing boundary between Tibet & India from Bhutan eastward towards Burma latter known as McMhon line. China did not ratify this boundary agreement. This treaty brought entire present Arunachal Pradesh under British India Government.

For better control and administration, the North East Frontier area was divided into 3(three) sections ie-Eastern section under the charge of Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur at Dibrugarh and Western section under the charge of political officer at Charduar (Balipara). Mr Dundas was appointed as the first Political Officer of Sadiya. On Recommendation of Chief Commissioner of Assam these three section were renamed as Sadiya frontier Tract, Lahimpur Frontier tract and Balipara Frontier Tract in 1919

Unsuccessful eariy revolt by Khamtis against British

The increasing resentment of local tribes against the British colonial rule led to a plan for revolt by Khamptis under the leadership of piyali Phukan or Danajay Buragohain which was supported by Singphoos , Nagas , Garos & Khashis and also by tke Muttoks . The plan to attack the British from Burma led by Gadhadar Singha was intercepted by British Garrison at Sadiya and Firmly suppressed. Again in 1932 another desperate plan to liberate Sadiya was designed under the leadership of Sri Sanat Dutta. He along with few accomplish went up to Burma through Chowkham for acquiring went up to Burma through Chowkham for acquiring arms. To co ordinate the effort a war council was formed with members like Khampti Chief Chowganan Gohain, Chow Mong Khen , Subder Nayan Sing Mal,Qet Master lal Sing Chetry, Gambhir Sigh Thapa of secret service , Doba Abor Chief Tamik Dabi , Kemi Tsering (a Tibetan refugee), some Mishimis , Wanchoos & Tangsa Chief. The council decided to robe the Tinsukia mail on june 12, 1932. But unfortunately,their plan was also detected by British intelligence and the tribal leaders were arrested and tried at Dibrughar

Indian act of 1935 and formation of Triap Frontier Tract(1943)

Provision of section 91(1) of government of India act 1935 collectively declared all the three frontier tracts as Excluded area under the province of Assam. These tracts were placed under the charge of Governer General. The World War II recognized the strategic location of the patkai belt. There in 1943 with certain areas of Lakhimpur frontier tract , and some portion of Sadiya Frontier Tract , a new charge was created as Tripa frontiertract under the political officer at Margherita. In 1944 Walong Post was established by Mr William the political Officer at Sadiya . Appointment of J P Milli as the Advisor to Governor of Assam was also a very important event, who actually mastered the beginning of new era of development and beginning of regular administration in this terrain land lock area presently know as Arunachal Pradesh. He pioneered the creation of various department such as Agriculture, medical, Education Engineering and course the administration

Bifurcation of sadiya Frontier tract In 1945:

The remaining portion of Sadiya again bifurcated into Abor Hill District with headquater at Pasighat and Mishimi Hill District with headquater at Sadiya. Separate political officer were appointed for these districts.

India Got freedom :

On 15th August 1947 India got independence and Sadiya also got freedom from British rule. Before leaving India, the British tried to separate North East Fontier tract (NEFT) from rest of india under “Crowns Colony policy”, but the work of few leaders such as Moji Riba, Moje Riba , Rimo Riba, work of dying Ering , Chow Khamoon Gohain and far sight-ness of Gopinath Bordoloi in mobilizing public opinion denounced the plan. The enactment of constitution of India on 26th January 1950 brought all four NEFT under direct control of governor of Assam who will act as an agent of President of india . Lt N.K.Rustomji ICS became the advisor for NEFT affaries.

Shifting of Head quarter of Mishmi Hill District from Sadiya to Tezu

Aftermath of the devastating earthquake and flood in 1950, it was very difficult to rebuild the district headquarter at Sadiya and there was always danger of fresh flood. Hence the District headquarter was shifted to Tezu in 1952 . Roing and Kibitho Administrative Center were established

Establishment of Administrative Center at Namsai

In the year 1953, a new administrative Center(Base Superintendant) at Namsai was estabhished with jurisdiction from Parasuramkund to inner line (Dirak).

Formation of North East Frontier Agency(NEFA)

Till 1954 the NEFT affaris were under Ministry of external Affairs, but by virtue of the North East Frontier Regulation (administration) act of 1954 the entire present Arunachal Pradesh and Naga Tribal area was renamed as “North East Frontier Agency” popularly NEFA. All the tracts in NEFT renamed as Division in NEFA. Eg- The Balipara frontier Tract renamed as kameng Frontier Division, the Lakhimpur Frontier Tract renamed as Subansiri Frontier Division, the Abor Hill District renamed as siang Frontier Division the Mishmi Hill District renamed as lohit Frontier division and tirap Frontier Tract renamed as Tirap Frontier Division. The Naga Tribal area was named as Tuensang Frontier Division which was excluded from NEFA.

Administrative development in Lohit Frontier Division (FLD)

During 1954 to 1965 various development activities including administrative development took place. New Schools, Hospital,Industries were set up. Agriculture development, Livestock Development, Development of roads and setting up of new administrative centres were given priority. In this Period Governors of Assam Namly Sayadi Fazal Ali, Gen S M Srinagesh and Sri Brishnu Sahai visits of Advisors. Chongkham Administraive centre was set up in 1956-57.

Indo-Sino war of 1962 and effects

China increased its activities in Tibet as soon as the British left India. Their active involvement in Tibet and consolidation in boarder areas were lightly seen by Indian Counterparts at the beginning. On 29th April 1954 “Indo-sino bilateral trade agreement” was signed ( on five principle popularly know as Panchassel ) which involves Tibet. Thus we allowed the chinese to play the the role of master of Tibet. It encouraged the authority in Peking to develop defence strategy in boarder areas. In our part we could not see the danger and could not realized the importance of development in boarder areas of NEFA. In the same line with British , NEFA was treated as “excluded area” with limited control by new Indian Government did not have control over the affairs in Lasa. In 1959, Gen Tan Quwan Sen of Chinese garrison at Lasa fully took over the administration of Tibet from Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama after fleeing from Lasa arrived at tezpur via Tawang on 18th March 1959 with few members of his Ministry This was followed by atrocities on Tibet by Chinese army in Tibet. As a result large scale migration of Tibet took place who takes refuge at various countries mostly in india. The Dalai lama was ubiquitously accepted amongst Buddhists & Hindus in india; therefore indian Government gave asylum to Dalai Lama which annoyed the Chinese authority (Till now the Dalai Lama is running the Tibet Government in Exile at Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) and a Tibetan Refuge camp is in Tezu ). India sent a strong discontentment to Chinese counterpart for their aggression in Tibet. In return China openly derecognized the McMahon Line and labelled India with surname of “expansionist element inheriting Brithish Legacy”. The relation which was once “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” became strenuous and lately the India decided to protect interest of Tibetan and the border areas from any chinese aggression . war was inevited and it came on 20th oct’1962. The war was fought mainly at different front in NEFA. Focal point was Kameng Frotier Division at Bumla and Lohit Frontier Division at Walong.

The Sino-Indo war has the greatest impact on Arunachal Pradesh. By the end of the war theauthorities in new Delhi realized the strategic importance of NEFA and need of its rapid development for national interest.

Lohit Frontier Division renamed as Lohit District in 1965

Under the provision of NEFA (Administration) regulation act of 1965 the frontier divisions were renamed as Kameng District, Subansiri District, Siang District, Lohit District and Triap District with political officer kown to be as the Deputy Commissioners. Mr B.S. Dougal was the last political officer who became the first Deputy commissioner of lohit District. Roing was upgraded to ADC headquater which was shifted to Anini Later on . Wakro Admin Centre was setup in 1965.

Formation of Agency Council in 1969

For involvement of the people of NEFA in the policy making mechanism, an apex advisory body known as “Agency Council” was formed to advice the Governor of Assam on affairs of NEFA. This was an elected body by Zilla Parishad and hence the first panchayati Raj Election took place in 1969. The first sitting of the Agency council held on 3rd December 1969 comprising of 20members and inaugurated by Sri B.K.Nehru, the governor of Assam. Thusthe policy making power for NEFA went to the people of this state for the first time, though through an advisory body. From LFD four Members nsmely-Ita Pulu, Chow pak Gohain ,Senge Kri and Gora Pertin were in the council.

NEFA BECOME ARUNACHAL PRADESH IN 1972

The North Eastern Areas (reorganization) Act of 1971 separated NEFA from Assam. As a Union Territory, Arunachal Pradesh came to existence on 21st January 1972. The “Agency Council” became “Pradesh Council” headed by a chief Commissioner . Mr K A A Raja was appointed as the cjhief Commissioner. Consequent upon election of Pachayat bodies in May’1972 the Pradesh Council was constituted by 26 member including 03 nominated members . From Lohoit District-Gora Pertin ,Sobeng Tayang , C.T.Mein,Sakale Linggi were in the Council. The Capital of the state was also shifted from Shillong to Itanagar on 1st june’1974 which was inaugurated by V.V,Giri,President of India.
In 1975 another amendment was brought and a “Provisional Legislative Assembly” was formed with 30 elected MLAs and 03 nominated MLAs . The head of the state designated as Lieutenant Governor. Mr P .K . Thungon became the first Chief Minister of this Union Territory. The first Lok Sabha Poll was conducted in 1977 and from East Parlimentary constituency Bakin Pertin an IND candidate declared elected. The first elction to the assembly was held in 25th Feb 1978 and from 23-Namsai- Chowkham constituency C.T.Mein, a Janata Dal candidate was elected.

First bifurcation of Lohit District in 1980 and Mid Term Poll

The first bifurcation of Lohit District on 1st june’ 1980 cuved out new Dibang Valley Districtwith it’s headquarter at Anini and comprised of anini & Roing Subdivisions. Mid- term poll conducted due to defections and Chou Khouk Manpoong won the 23-Namsai-Chowkham seat. In 1984, Mrs Omem M Statehood to Arunachal Pradesh in 1987
In the year of 1987, on 20th February, Arunachal Pradesh become the 24th state of Indian Union and the provisional legislative Assembly now know as legislative Assembly and Governor became the head of the state. Sri Bhisma Narayan Singh was sworn in as the first Goveror of Arunachal Pradesh. After delimitation the strength of state Assembly increased to 60 members.

Delimitation of Assembly constituency of Namsai

The 23 Namsai-Chowkham Assembly Constituency was delimited and new Assembly constituencies were formed namely 46-Chowkham, Sri C. P. Namchoom- 47 Namsai AC and 48-Lekang AC. The first elected members of these constituencies after bifurcation in 1990 were- Sri Sokio Dellang- 46 Chowkham, Sri C.P. Namchoom- 47 Namsai and Omem Moyong Deori-48 Lekang. Lt C.P. Namchoom became the Cabinet Ministry. Namsai Administrative centre upgraded to ADC HQ- In the year 199 Namsai Admin centre was up graded to ADC Hq.

Second bifurcation of Lohit district in 2003

Anjaw District with its Headquater at Hawai was created on 16th February 2001 bifurcating the Lohit District under the Arunachal Pradesh Re-organization of Districts Amendment Bill (though it was deemed to have come into force on 4th December, 2003). In the same time Dibang valley District was also bifurcated in to Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley District with HQ at Anini and Roing respectively.

Third bifurcation of Lohit District in 2014

On the 15th August 2014, formation of new Namsai District was decleared and deemed to be come into existence wef 15th july 2014 by bifurcating Lohit District. The Namsai District consists of Chowkham, Lathaw, Namsai, Piyong and Lekang circles.

Thus the 18th District of Arunachal Pradesh namely NAMSAI DISTRICT came to its existence which bears legacy of pre-historical & historical administrative changes and political turbulences. During the period of transition the seat of administration shifted from Sadiya to Tezu and ultimately to Namsai as the district headquarters.