Utpal Boruah

Kibithu (Indo-Sino border), Oct 31 (UNI) Atrocities by her relatives compelled her to flee to the other side of the international border where a surprise was waiting for her. She was not rejected but consoled by the people across the frontier.

This is the story of a 18-year-old Puntsi Tega, a girl from the Meyor tribe of Kibithu, the circle headquarters of Anjaw district in Arunachal, seven kms away from the line of actual control (LoC) which could be treaded by foot in two just days through rough terrain.

''That was sometime two years ago when I crossed the border through the mule track in utter frustration. Reaching China I was surprised to see people from my own community, some of whom were my distant relatives,'' She said while narrating her tale of agony.

''Since then, I have been regularly visiting my people residing in the other side engaged in farming though I returned back to my village after a few days, she added.

There are other people like Puntsi who regularly visit China to meet their relatives. They generally use the mule track to cross the border dodging the watchful eyes of the Chinese Army.

''We have similar customs and traditions with the people living across the border and have close affinity. Just a manmade boundary cannot separate us'', she commented.

Lenko Ritti, Yeshe Tabaranya, Meyeso Pul, Atai Mai, Anduk Meyor, Jipu Meyor and Munjong Meyor, were regular visitors to the other side of the border. They generally go for trading and to meet their relatives.

''I have visited China at least for ten times without being noticed by the Chinese Army. My elder sister was staying there, who died last year,'' informed 70-year-old Lenkp Ritti.

The China side is more populated, motorable and inhabited by the Lava, Mijo and Mishmi tribes having affinity with us, he added.

Kibithu is 17 km away from Rima, a developed Chinese town, which was the epicentre of the 1950 earthquake. Pointing at Jachepha, a place in the hills along the boundary, he said it is the tri-junction which divides India, China and Myanmar by a natural stream and the MacMohan line.

It might be mentioned here that the little known Kamam Mishmis, inhabiting the upper belt of Lohit Valley, were enterprising traders and carried out trade with the Zayul district of Tibet since time immemorial. Their Tibetan counterpart also had trade relations with the Mishmis and Mayor tribes of the Anjaw district.

According to records of Indo-Tibetan trade during 1958 to 1960, 762 Indian traders had crossed over to Tibet while 874 had come from that country. The value of merchandise traded during the period by Arunachalees stood at Rs 17,937 while it was Rs. 22,311 by their counterparts till the trade was suspended.

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