District Profile

General and Physical Features:             

Location

The Hailakandi district is situated in the southernmost corner of Assam in North East India. The distance of the state capital Guwahati from the district Head Quarter is 330 KM.

Boundaries

The Hailakandi district is bounded by River Barak & Cachar district in the North & East, Mizoram State in the South & East and Karimganj district in the west. The inter state border is stretched over 76 KM in the south east.

Historical background of the district

According to historians, the Kukies are the first inhabitant of the district of Hailakandi. Subsequently, the Bodo-Kacharies (Dimasas) entered into the plains and settled in different places scattered in the northern part of the district.

The name “Hailakandi” derives from the Kuke word “Halam” which means a small state and “Kundia” a Bodo-Kacahari word which means a plot of land for temporary ploughing   according to the opinions of the historians like Rajmohan Nath and others.

There are also some other opinions in regard to nomenclature of Hailakandi. One version  says that the area was abundant in paddy cultivation, particularly ‘shail’ peddy was more in production and was the granary of the area as a whole. For that reason it was called ‘Shailkandi’ – Kundi a Kuki word meaning a ‘a bunch’- a land of the Kukis. From this it turns into Hailakandi.

The western portion of present Hailakandi was known as Boroibari.  It was under the occupation of one Ipra Queen ‘Hail’. She was the Zamidar of the estate and from her name it became ‘Halirkandi’ & then turns into Hailkandi.

Hailakandi – a leaning plot of land, though it is difficult to decide which is historically correct yet according to majority opinion the combination of the derivatives of ‘Halam’ and ‘ Kundina’ was the origin.

History

In the known period of history most parts of the erstwhile state of Cachar was under Tripuri administration. Existence of Sakala Dighi near Lala  ( in the 5 km. South) is symbol of Tripuri reign. Other parts of the state were captured by the Kochs during the early medieval period and continued as a Koch province till the Dimacha occupied it. But, Hailakandi particularly its southern part remains under Tripura. According to Krishnamala it was then named as Purbakul. But Tripuries could not continue for any longer period due to constant attack by the Kukis who were dominant people in the southern part of Hailakandi and gradually they receded from their Purbakul province . The Dimasas  captured Hailakandi, at first  the northern part and then towards the end of their rule over Cachar, the southern part was also brought under their rule.  Hailakandi went under the British rule in 1830 with Silchar the other part of the state of Cachar.  The Britishers built their native club at Monacherra, Hailakandi and Polo Ground at Girin Tilla which is still in existence.

During 2nd world war (1942 –43) the first Airport of the valley was built at Chandrapur – Bhabanipur village near Lala & 2nd airport was built at Kanchanpur, both are now used as paddy fields.

Hailakandi district is land of diversity where people of different cast, tribe, creed and religion live with unity from time immemorial.

Date of Establishment:

Hailakandi was the one of the oldest Sub-division of the state which was constituted as Civil Sub-division on 1st June 1869. On 1st October 1989 it emerged as Civil District with same territorial jurisdiction of the earlier Sub-division.

Natural drainage (rivers & tributaries) :

There are 2 main river namely Dhaleswari and Katakhal which runs from south to north through the middle of the district. The river Dhaleswari originates in the Mizo hills where it is known as Thang. Originally it is used to flow along the western side of the district and fall into the river Barak near Panchgram. A former king is said to have diverted its course a little above Rongpur and the channel is now dried up for a considerable distance of about 1.5 km, after the commencement of new channel which is called ‘katakhal’ and the lower reaches of the Dhaleswari is completely cut off from the river that originates form the Mizo hills. The Katakhal river flows along the east of the valley and falls into the Barak river near Katakhal railway Junction. There are also 7 tributaries in the district.

The only Hawor of the district ‘bakri-hawor’ having a considerable area of 20 sq. km. & remains under floodwater almost in every season.

Climate

In summer season there is  heavy rainfall with high humidity. The average annual rainfall is 2873.078 & humidity is 85%. In winter the climate is cold and dry. The cold is intense in December, January & February. The maximum temperature is in the month of August 30’ –34’ Celsius and the minimum temperature is 6’-12’ Celsius.

Demography

As per 2001 census the total population of the district is 542978 showing the decadal growth rate is 20.93. Out of this total population 63832 (12%) are SC & 1063 (.20%) are ST.

Total rural population of the district is 501478 (92%) & urban population is 41500 (8%). Literacy percentage of the district is 59.84%. Male literacy rate is 68.47% & female literacy is 50.65%. Male female ratio is 933.

                             Economy

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Table I.1   No. CD & Educational Blocks, GP & Villages

Population

The population of the district has increased from 4.49 lakhs in 1991 to 5.43 lakhs in 2001 by registering an increase of 17%.  The increase of rural population is same as the over all increase. On the other hand the increase of urban population is one percent more than the rural and over all growth. The growth of female population of the district is much lower than their male counter part. The male population has increased by 17% and the female population has increased by only 14%.

Table I.2  Population of the District by Area and Sex

Table I.3 Decadal variation of population in the district (in percent)

Table I.4  Population by Caste & Sex

                                        Population

Literacy

Out of the Total 542978 population 266909 are literate as per 2001 census. The overall literacy rates of the district have increased from 53.07 in 1991 to 59.84 in 2001. In terms of literacy the district stands at 16^th   rank amongst the 23 districts of the state. It is lower than the state average. In terms of female literacy rates the district stands at 18^th position. The literacy rates of urban population are higher than the rural population. The literacy of SCs & STs is lower than the general population as per 1991 Census.

Table I.5   Total Literates and Literacy Rates

From the table above it can be seen that there are more illiterates (276069) than literates (266909) in the district. However, the absolute number of illiterate has considerably decreased from 63048 in 1991 to only 9160 people in 2001.

Though there is a huge gap (17.82%) between male and female literacy rates the gap has reduced from 23.04% in 1991 to 17.82% in 2001. Besides it is also noticeable that the female literacy rate (50.65%) of  the district is lower than the state female literacy rate.

Overall Status of Education

Table I.6    No. of Primary & Upper Primary Schools (Management wise)

84% of the primary schools are managed by the state government. Only 2% of primary schools are private while 14% are venture.  The reverse is the case for Upper Primary schools where only 3% schools are venture against 12% private schools. The share of state government (29%) in providing high/higher schools is much lower than the combined share of venture and private schools (63%).

Role of DIET, BRC CRC

There is no DIET in the district. The existing 3 (three) educational block is now converted into BRC and 62 GP is converted into 70 CRC. One District Resource Centre is functioning & in service training under SSA is undertaken by this structure. 

Access

91% of the habitations in the district are having a primary school within the state norm of 1 KM range. 7% of the habitations are having a school beyond 1.5 KM.  Regarding the availability of Upper Primary  School Facilities, 89% of the habitations are having an Upper Primary School within 3 KM.  The children of the 4% of the habitations have to go beyond 5 KM for reaching to an Upper Primary schools.

Table I.7    Availability of Primary Schools

Table I.8    Availability of Upper Primary Schools

Table I.9  Data on GER/NER

                                       Source:DISE 2004

Table I.10    Status of Peoples’ Committees in the District