Mishing community of Assam demands holiday for Ali-Ai Ligang

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The representatives of the Mishing community of Assam staged a protest at Chachal in Guwahati, demanding that a state holiday be declared on the occasion of Ali-Ai Ligang on the first Wednesday of the month of Falgun. They also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam mentioning their demands. The representatives pointed out that the Mishing community is the second-largest ethnic population of the state, with 687836 members in the 2011 census, and they have been demanding this holiday for a very long time. They also pointed out that the festival is an essential part of their way of life.

They mentioned that 10 districts of the state with sizeable populations of the community have the day as a restricted holiday, but the members of the community residing in other parts of the state feel neglected. Pointing out that Bhatri Dutiya and Chhath Puja are celebrated by smaller communities, yet state holidays have been given, they demanded the same of Ali Ai Ligang. They also demanded that the details of the festival be included in the textbooks at the school level.

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