The Nagas

Hill Peoples of Northeast India

Project Introduction The Naga Database

published - 'Report of the Survey Operations in the Naga Hills 1875-1876' by Lt. R.G. Woodthorpe

caption: Ninu deserted and inhabitants fled
medium: tours
keywords: kunsaileper
person: Ponghi
location: Vinyu (Ninu) Tisa R. Kaimai (Kaimoi) Nisa
production:
person: Woodthorpe/ R.G.
date: 1875-1876
text: 53. On the 15th, with the force marginally noted, [below] we started for Ninu, having with us the Kunsai of Senua.
text: 42nd Assam Light Infantry
2 Native officers
3 Havildars
55 Sepoys
1 Bugler
Police
1 Inspector
1 Head-Constable
15 Constables
text: The path of last year from the Tisa River to Ninu had become grass-grown, and swarmed with leeches, and we were some little time in making our way along it, and arrived on the old site of the village about 3 p.m. No houses had been re-built there; but a small village had been established in the jhooms just beyond, whence we could see several groups of Nagas retreating rapidly along the path to Kaimoi. Entering this collection of huts, for the village was little more, we found a leper and three old women who could hardly move - the only occupants. The former told us that Ponghi had run away long since, but afterwards admitted that he had been instructed to say this by the villagers if he fell into our hands; but that Ponghi was still with the second chief, whose house was at another and larger settlement about four miles off, near Nisa. Leaving the camp to be formed at the smaller village, we at once went on to the other, and found that deserted also; in neither was there any property to speak of, a few fowls and three or four pigs the only live stock visible, and the houses themselves had a generally uninhabited appearance. We returned to camp in the evening. Next morning at dawn we again proceeded to Ninu, but no one was visible, and a careful search for several miles around confirmed our belief that the Nagas had not taken refuge anywhere near; indeed, after last year's experience, it would have been strange if they had. So, having burned the huts, we retraced our steps to camp and burned the small village also, sparing a couple of houses for the use of the old women and the leper, with whom we left a message for the Ninu men, to the effect that if they would give up Ponghi peace would be made with them. A party under a native officer had been scouring the country towards Kaimoi while we were at Ninu, but only one small temporary camp had been seen. When this party rejoined us we marched and encamped at night on the Tisa.
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