Khonsa, Aug 19: The oldest man of Tirap and a former Political Assistant during NEFA days and the Chief of Pansumthong village, Wangkap Lowang breathed his last today before dawn at 1.30 am at the age of 110 years at his village residence, 15 km away from the district headquarters here after prolonged illness.
Born on December 15, 1910 at Laptang (Longthan) village, Late Wangkap Lowang was the son of Late Wangpam Lowang. 
Since Tirap had no schools during those days, he did his primary education in Assamese language medium at a private school in Joypur (Assam).
Later, after being approached repeatedly by the British Officers of Saidya, he worked as a Political Jamadar during the British Raj and participated in the British-Japanese War of 1944-1945. He served the post for 8 years (1938-1946) and after independence the Indian government appointed him as a Political Superintendent in 1948 and later promoted him to the post of Political Assistant in 1959, which he served till 1981. During his service life as Political Superintendent/Political Assistant, late Wangkap Lowang mobilised the 2nd Assam Rifles, Sadiya to stop the head-hunting practice among different tribes/communities. 
Blessed with 5 daughters and 3 sons, his first son T.L. Rajkumar, an ex-minister is on the way to Panshumthong from Bangalore to attend the last rites. He is survived by 2 sons, 3 daughters, 24 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. Popularly known as Tedong (Great Grandfather), Late Wangkap Lowang was the first person from undivided Tirap district to work under the Britishers before independence and was fluent in Hindi, Assamese and English.

One of his grandson Gautam Sawang, an IPS, is the DGP of Andhra Pradesh Police and his youngest daughter Chanyuak Rajkumari is serving as Assistant Director (Textile & Handicrafts) in Tirap district. As per sources, the Paramount Chiefs of Borduria (Sahla), Wanglin Lowangdong and Namsang (Thinnyan), Sunwang Lowangdong would attend the last rites scheduled on August 20 at Pansumthong.
As a mark of respect to the departed soul, the Lowang-Khonsa Bazaar Welfare Committee decided to keep the Khonsa bazaar closed on Wednesday. DIPRO 

---

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

<< Back to News List