3rd Feb 2025 10:02:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Ninu, Feb 3: The 150th anniversary of the historic 1875 Anglo-Wancho War was commemorated at Ninu village, Longding district, through a grand event named ‘Gantang’ , dedicated to honouring the unsung heroes who bravely resisted British forces.
Gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest, Gabriel D. Wangsu, Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, etc., described it as a historic day for the state. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to pay tribute to the warriors who sacrificed their lives to protect their land and people. Wangsu shared a remarkable discovery from his research, recalling how he first came across a rare photograph of Wancho warriors captured during the war. This discovery later helped uncover a crucial piece of history, bringing well-deserved recognition to the community’s struggle and resilience. "We must reflect on the hardships and sacrifices of our ancestors. Their resistance ensured that the British could not subjugate us. Today, their bravery defines our identity. It is our duty to honour them and keep their legacy alive,” he remarked. 
Addressing the gathering, Minister Wangsu thanked the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, for their pivotal role in recognising the Wancho heroes and reviving their lost history. "Our government is committed to recognizing the sacrifices of our indigenous warriors. The work of the State Core Committee on Unsung Heroes, led by DCM Chowna Mein, is commendable in bringing to light the stories of our ancestors, " he stated. He also acknowledged the efforts of researcher Nepha Wangsa, whose extensive research shed light on the Anglo-Wancho War. Wangsa, the author of "The Nginu Massacre” has been at the forefront of advocating for the recognition of Arunachal’s unsung heroes. 
"Bringing out the lost history of our ancestors has been a long and relentless journey, but today marks an accomplishment not just for me but for the entire Wancho community,” Wangsu expressed. 
He also extended his gratitude to the State Government, including CM Pema Khandu, DCM Chowna Mein, Minister Wangsu, and former Advisor to CM Tai Tagak, for their instrumental roles in unearthing the long-buried history of the 1875 Anglo-Wancho War. 
As Minister for Animal Husbandry, Wangsu urged the villagers of Longchan Circle to recognise the importance of Mithun rearing, expressing concerns over its declining population in the region. "Arunachal Pradesh accounts for nearly 90% of India's Mithun population, with our region being one of the highest contributors. It is crucial for us to focus on increasing Mithun rearing,”  he emphasised. He further announced plans to organize a special program in Longchan focused on Mithun conservation and rearing practices. 
Highlighting recent government initiatives, Wangsu pointed out that Mithun has now been officially recognised as a food animal, with its meat being formally named "Wesi”.  He called for greater community participation to ensure the successful implementation of government schemes related to Mithun conservation and other developmental programs. 
MLA Thangwang Wangham (59th Longding-Pumao Constituency) paid tribute to the forefathers, stating: "Our ancestors fought for our land, freedom, and culture against foreign rule. Today, it is time for our younger generation to fight for economic freedom, freedom from illiteracy, and freedom from poverty. We must work together to make Wancho a vibrant and progressive tribe.”
The Chief of Ninu, Longwang Wangham, and researcher Nepha Wangsa also addressed the gathering, highlighting the historical significance of the Anglo-Wancho War of 1875. As part of the commemoration, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Arunachal Unit organized a Tiranga Yatra, a 3-km march that saw thousands of villagers from Longchan Circle and beyond participating. 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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