Nocte Digest, Deomali (2026)

01/06/2026

Why the Next Rajya Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Should be from the TCL Region

- Wangtum H. Lowang, Director, Nocte Digest

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of remarkable diversity, home to more than 20 tribes and over 100 sub-tribes. While it is neither practical nor possible to ensure parliamentary representation for every tribe, it is both achievable and desirable to ensure that all major regions of the state are fairly represented in national decision-making.

Broadly, Arunachal Pradesh may be viewed as comprising four major regions: Western Arunachal (from Tawang to Pakke-Kessang), Central Arunachal (from Papum Pare to Upper Siang), Eastern Arunachal (from Dibang Valley to Namsai), and South-Eastern Arunachal comprising Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL).

Since Arunachal Pradesh’s first Rajya Sabha election in 1978, representation in the Upper House has come primarily from the Central and Eastern regions. Central Arunachal has produced five Rajya Sabha Members, while Eastern Arunachal has produced two. In contrast, the TCL region remains the only major geopolitical region of the state that has never been represented in the Rajya Sabha.

For nearly five decades, Tirap, Changlang and Longding have remained absent from Arunachal Pradesh’s Rajya Sabha journey despite their significant contributions to the state’s development, security and cultural heritage. Located along the international border with Myanmar, the region occupies a strategically important position and is home to vibrant indigenous communities whose perspectives deserve a place in national policymaking.

The call for a Rajya Sabha representative from TCL is not a demand for special treatment, nor is it directed against any tribe, district or region. It is simply a call for equitable regional representation. Every major region of Arunachal Pradesh should have an opportunity to contribute its voice, aspirations and experiences to the Parliament of India.

The present Rajya Sabha election offers a unique opportunity to correct this long-standing imbalance. Out of the twelve candidates who have filed nominations, eleven belong to regions that have already enjoyed Rajya Sabha representation. Only one candidate comes from the TCL region.

This fact carries special significance. Not only has TCL never sent a representative to the Rajya Sabha, but this is also among the very few occasions, if not the first, that the region has produced a serious candidate for consideration. As such, this lone candidature represents far more than an individual political aspiration. It symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of an entire region that has patiently waited for nearly fifty years to be included in the state’s parliamentary representation.

Electing the next Rajya Sabha MP from TCL would therefore be more than the selection of a candidate. It would be a historic step towards ensuring balanced regional representation in Arunachal Pradesh. It would affirm the state’s commitment to inclusivity, fairness and equal participation, while sending a powerful message that every major region matters and deserves a seat at the national table.

The question before the electors is not merely who should occupy the Rajya Sabha seat. The larger question is whether the only major region of Arunachal Pradesh that has remained unrepresented since 1978 should finally be given its rightful opportunity to contribute to national policymaking.

After nearly five decades, the case for TCL’s first Rajya Sabha representative is compelling. The time has come to complete the circle of representation in Arunachal Pradesh. The next Rajya Sabha Member from Arunachal Pradesh should be from the TCL Region.

fans Pema Khandu Chowna Mein Tapir Gao Kiren Rijiju Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) BJP Arunachal Pradesh

29/05/2026

PROUD MOMENT FOR THE NOCTES!

Heartiest congratulations to all three Nocte candidates who have successfully cleared the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) Examination–2025 conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.

The successful candidates are:

Ms. Chatum Panka, PGT (English), a resident of Kaimai village and daughter of Mr. L. Panka and Mrs. Wicho Panka;

Ms. Kampo Akhang, PGT (English), a resident of Wasathong village and daughter of Mr. Chanye Akhang and Mrs. Bina Akhang; and

Mr. Longche Savio Atoa, PGT (Political Science), a resident of Moktowa village and son of Mr. Khualang Atoa and Mrs. Wisey Atoa.

Their remarkable achievement is a matter of immense pride for the entire Nocte community and serves as an inspiration to aspiring students and young professionals. We wish them continued success and excellence in their future endeavours.

21/05/2026

A day at Chaan Poh Pit, Baanlan Rum, Khunchha village, with our young poet and author, Wanggo Socia, accompanied by his uncle, Wangnuan Socia’s melodious Nocte song.

20/05/2026

Reigning Miss Nocte, Socha Songthing, learning the art of making Dakphang - an integral ornament of the traditional Nocte attire.

PC & Input: Kapwang Thinra

19/05/2026

Hoju Kuhwa, one of the major festivals of the Nocte tribe, is a unique celebration. While most tribal festivals are observed after a successful harvest, Hoju Kuhwa is quite the opposite. It is celebrated during the period after all the crops have been harvested and before the next sowing season begins.

During this time, grain and food stocks often run low or become exhausted. Hoju Kuhwa is therefore celebrated as a rejoicing of collective survival - a thanksgiving that the community has endured and overcome this harsh period together.

PC: Gawang Sumpa
Photo Edited using Grok AI.

13/05/2026

PROUD MOMENT FOR THE NOCTES!

We extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Sunny Sumphiem Sumnyan on successfully clearing the prestigious Arunachal Pradesh Judicial Service Examination 2025 and being appointed as a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC).

Learned Judge Mr. Sumnyan hails from Kheti village and is the son of Er. Sumnyak Sumnyan, retired Chief Engineer (Highway) and the first engineer from the Nocte community; and Dr. (Mrs.) Rajshree Sumnyan.

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12/05/2026

Longding–Nagaland Frontier (1874–76)

This rare archival map, shared with Nocte Digest by Stephen Morey of La Trobe University in January 2023, is among the earliest detailed cartographic records of the area that now constitutes Longding district, while also covering adjoining tracts of present-day Nagaland. It remains a significant historical document of the eastern frontier hills and the indigenous settlements scattered across them.

The survey was carried out from 1874 to 1876 under the overall direction of Col. Henry Lewis Thuillier, Surveyor General of India, with key contributions from officers including Major W. F. Badgley and Lieutenant R. G. Woodthorpe, alongside draftsmen and engravers responsible for shading and final production. The map was eventually published in April 1884 under Colonel G. C. DePree, then Surveyor General, and printed at the Survey of India Offices in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

The period 1874–76 was pivotal in the political history of Northeast India. In 1874, Assam was separated from the Bengal Presidency, and Lt. Gen. Richard Harte Keatinge was appointed its first Chief Commissioner on February 7. Soon after this administrative restructuring, systematic surveys were launched across the frontier regions of present-day Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. These surveys coincided with British efforts to annex the Namsang and Hukanjuri tea gardens along with the intervening territories traditionally controlled by Wangmaan Lowangdong, the Chief of Borduria village.

In response, Wangmaan Lowangdong strategically mobilised resistance by pressuring the Wancho chiefs, particularly the Chief of Ninu village and its allies, through geopolitical manoeuvring and trade threats. He coerced them into confronting the British by threatening to sever their vital trade connections with Assam and block essential salt supplies to their villages. Although he avoided direct personal confrontation with the superior British forces, particularly after receiving a warning from Lt. Gen. Keatinge for his earlier attempts to obstruct British expansion in the region, his orchestration of the attack on Lieutenant Holcombe and the British survey team at Ninu directly triggered the Anglo-Wancho War on February 02, 1875. British investigations later concluded that Wangmaan had masterminded the conflict.

Of special historical value is the map’s detailed documentation of early Wancho settlements. It prominently marks villages such as Senua, Ninu, Nisa, Niaunu, Niausa, Chopnu, and Kaimoi, along with several other traditional Wancho habitations that defined the frontier landscape in the late nineteenth century. These records offer important insights into Wancho settlement patterns and territorial presence during the colonial era.

A notable linguistic detail is the spelling of Zedua village as “Rodua” on the map. This variation likely reflects the influence of a recorder familiar with the Kanubari dialect, where the “ro” sound is more prominent. Comparable phonetic patterns persist today. For instance, names commonly pronounced “Oriah” and “Roikhoi” in certain areas are rendered as “Oziah” and “Zoikhoi” in upper regions. Such differences provide valuable clues about regional dialects and how indigenous place names were interpreted and transcribed during colonial surveys.

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08/05/2026

Census Integrity Matters: Alleged Fake Houses Threaten Arunachal Census

The population census drive has begun in Arunachal Pradesh, marking an important exercise in understanding the demographic realities of the state after more than a decade since the 2011 Census. The initiative is a welcome step by the government and the administration, as accurate population data is essential for planning development, improving governance, and ensuring fair distribution of resources. For a diverse tribal state like Arunachal Pradesh, census records also carry immense social, political, and economic significance.

In recent days, several photos and claims circulating on Facebook have raised concerns over the alleged creation of fake “census houses” aimed at artificially inflating the population of certain villages, regions, or specific tribes. This article is based on those social media claims and discussions. While it remains unclear whether census officials ultimately counted such structures during enumeration, the episode has triggered serious public debate. The larger concern is the apparent lack of strong verification mechanisms or visible legal deterrence against such practices.

This issue should concern every genuine citizen of the state because census data is not merely statistical information; it becomes the foundation for future administrative and political decisions. Population figures influence the creation of villages, towns, circles, and potentially even the delimitation of Assembly constituencies. They also shape the allocation of government schemes, development funds, welfare benefits, educational opportunities, and employment-related advantages. If inflated figures enter official records, the long-term consequences could be severe, allowing certain groups to gain disproportionate benefits while depriving genuinely eligible communities of their rightful share.

Equally worrying is the social attitude emerging around the issue. In the comment sections of several Facebook posts discussing fake census houses, many individuals openly defended the practice. Some even mocked critics by asking why anyone should feel “jealous” if a community gains more development funds or benefits through such means. Others argued that if the tactic brings advantages, every community should simply do the same. Such responses reflect a dangerous shift in public morality where manipulation of official records is no longer viewed as wrongdoing, but as a strategy for collective gain.

This mindset is harmful not only to governance but also to the social fabric of Arunachal Pradesh. Once fraudulent practices become accepted in the name of tribal competition or regional development, trust between communities begins to erode. Genuine data collection becomes impossible, and policies based on distorted figures ultimately weaken the integrity of the state itself. Development built upon falsehood may benefit a few temporarily, but it creates long-term injustice and administrative imbalance for everyone else.

The ongoing census exercise should therefore be treated with seriousness and honesty by all stakeholders, i.e., officials, village authorities, community leaders, and citizens alike. Strict verification mechanisms and legal action against deliberate manipulation are necessary to preserve the credibility of the census process. At the same time, society must recognise that real development cannot come through inflated numbers or fabricated records, but through transparency, accountability, and genuine representation of the people.

Written By:
Wangtum H. Lowang, Director, Nocte Digest

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07/05/2026

Proud moment for the Noctes.

Nocte Digest congratulates Mr. Punwang Lowang, Ms. Chasam Wangsu and Mr. Anand Panka for successfully clearing the Junior Engineer Common Recruitment Examination 2025. Their achievement reflects hard work, determination, and dedication, bringing pride and inspiration to the Nocte community.

Er. Punwang Lowang has been inducted as a Junior Engineer (JE) in the Department of RWD. He is a resident of Namsang village and the son of Mr. Wanghey Lowang and Mrs. Asing Lowang.

Er. Chasam Wangsu has been inducted as a JE in PHE & WS. She is a resident of Kaimai village and the daughter of Mr. Nawang Wangsu and Mrs. Chano Lowang.

Er. Anand Panka has been inducted as a JE in PHE & WS. He is a resident of Wasathong village and the son of Mr. Ngamchan Panka and Mrs. Nyonya Panka.

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Wangki Lowang Wanglin Lowangdong Chakat Aboh John Matey

29/04/2026

SCRIPTED NOCTE STONE TABLET

A small ancient stone tablet was recovered from a family in Namsang village. The tablet bears inscriptions composed of Burmese or Shan numerals, arranged in a structured and deliberate pattern. According to researchers, the object may represent a form of a magic square, traditionally believed to protect individuals, villages, or settlements from evil forces. Its presence within a Nocte household points to a deeper historical connection between the Noctes and Southeast Asian cultural and symbolic traditions.

DISCOVERY:

On May 4, 2020, a palindromic stone tablet was recovered by Wangtum H. Lowang from a royal family of Namsang village. The tablet is a family heirloom that has been carefully preserved and passed down through generations. Although no scientific carbon dating has yet been conducted, it is reasonable to estimate that the artifact is at least 200 years old.

The inscriptions on the tablet are remarkably clear and have been identified as belonging to the Shan script, associated with the Burmese linguistic tradition. Its origin is further supported by the lineage of its custodians, which can be traced back to Wang Hang, the leader of the Hawa group of the Noctes, who migrated from Burma in the 13th century CE. This connection strengthens the possibility that the tablet originated in, or was influenced by, cultural traditions from that region.

FEATURES:

The tablet is an imperfect square in shape, with uneven sides measuring approximately 5.8 cm, 5.9 cm, 6.7 cm, and 6.8 cm. Its surface contains a carefully arranged grid of six rows and six columns, forming a structured pattern that displays both symmetry and repetition. Several rows and columns exhibit palindromic properties, while others mirror each other, contributing to an overall sense of balance and design.

The pattern itself has been described as swastika-like in structure, with rotational symmetry and a “square within a square” arrangement. Columns 2 and 5 are identical, further reinforcing the patterned logic of the tablet. A total of ten distinct symbols appear on the surface, which researchers believe represent numerals rather than letters. The script is broadly identified as Shan/Tai/Burmese, linking the tablet to wider Southeast Asian traditions of symbolic and numerical inscription.

RESEARCH GROUP:

The study of the Nocte Stone Tablet was initiated by Professor Stephen Morey, a linguist at La Trobe University with expertise in the languages of Northeast India. On August 27, 2020, he formed a research group comprising scholars from different parts of the world.

The team included Tim Brookes, founder of the Endangered Alphabets Project, who has extensively studied writing systems across cultures; Syed Ifteqar Rahman, a linguist working on the Nocte language; and Wangtum H. Lowang. Together, they began a multidisciplinary investigation into the script, structure, and cultural context of the tablet.

As the study progressed, additional scholars were invited to contribute their expertise. These included David Nathan-Maister, a writer and rare manuscript collector; Walter Milner, with a background in natural sciences from University of Cambridge; Celso Álvarez Cáccamo, a professor of linguistics; Ben Mitchell, a specialist in Southeast Asian scripts; and Ye Myat Lwin, an archaeologist from Myanmar. Their combined perspectives brought linguistic, mathematical, and cultural insights into the interpretation of the tablet.

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS:

Initial analysis ruled out the possibility that the tablet represents an alphabetical chart. As noted by Tim Brookes, the repetition and structured arrangement of symbols indicate numerical behavior rather than linguistic sequencing. However, the pattern does not correspond to a conventional calendar either.

A significant development came when David Nathan-Maister identified a Tai shamanic manuscript from around 1900 that bears close resemblance to the tablet, with nearly ninety percent similarity. While this supported a Shan-script interpretation, Ben Mitchell suggested that the manuscript might instead be Burmese in nature. Further analysis by Wangtum Lowang revealed that the tablet had likely been studied upside down, and that eight of its ten symbols closely match those found in the manuscript.

Ye Myat Lwin proposed that the tablet could be a form of a protective magic square used in Southeast Asian Buddhist traditions. This interpretation aligns with historical evidence that the Hawa group of the Nocte tribe practiced Buddhism in Burma. Supporting examples include similar inscribed tablets and ritual objects, such as those found in monasteries in regions like Thandwe in present-day Myanmar.

However, Walter Milner challenged this classification, noting that a true mathematical magic square requires all entries to be distinct. He also identified evidence of a seventh row that appears to have been deliberately scrubbed out, suggesting a correction during the tablet’s creation. Tim Brookes supported this view, observing that the pattern becomes more coherent without the extra row.

Further mathematical analysis by Celso Álvarez Cáccamo revealed a swastika-like structural pattern and a combination of palindromic and symmetrical relationships among rows and columns. While the structure suggests numerical logic, inconsistencies prevent it from functioning as a conventional magic square. Instead, the tablet appears to combine symbolic and arithmetical elements.

Additional perspectives suggest broader cultural parallels. Brazilian astrologer Kayque Girão has proposed that the tablet may represent an astro-numerological talisman, similar to those found in Hindu, Arab, and Sino-Tibetan traditions. Meanwhile, differing interpretations of the central symbols—such as Ye Myat Lwin identifying them as the number 5 and Cáccamo proposing alternative values—highlight the ongoing complexity of decoding the tablet.

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