Itanagar, May 14: Arunachal Pradesh lost one of its most influential social reformers and indigenous leaders with the passing away of Dr Bengia Tolum, president of the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), on Thursday evening at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun. He was undergoing treatment at the hospital after prolonged illness.
Born in 1956 at Chulyu village in present-day Keyi Panyor district, Dr Tolum devoted his life to social service, indigenous rights, cultural preservation, education and community reconciliation.
Widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures of the state, he served six terms as president of the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and was also founder president of the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum and former president of the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA). Through these platforms, he played a pivotal role in uniting indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and promoting inter-community harmony.
Tolum spearheaded the movement to replace the term “Dafla” with “Nyishi” and led several historic Nyishi unification initiatives beginning in the late 1970s. As president of ANYA, he led the first Nyishi Unification Expedition to Seppa in 1978, a milestone in the community’s socio-political awakening.
Under his leadership, the historic “Ligu Affirmation” was achieved in 1998, strengthening unity among Nyishi communities. He also played key roles in important peace and reconciliation initiatives including the Roing Declaration, Bomdila Declaration, Seppa Peace Resolution, Nyishi-Apatani Summit (NAS-15), Namsai Declaration and several inter-community peace missions.
As a cultural visionary, Tolum was instrumental in introducing centralized Nyokum celebrations at Joram village and worked tirelessly for preservation and promotion of Nyishi language, art and traditions. He was awarded the State Gold Medal for his contribution towards preservation and promotion of traditional art and culture.
A noted vernacular academician, he developed a Nyishi script based on the Roman alphabet and authored Nyishi language textbooks for Classes VI, VII and VIII, which later became part of school curriculum in the state.
Dr Tolum also founded Abotani Academy at Yazali in 1993 with the vision of making quality education accessible to rural and economically weaker students. Over the years, the institution produced numerous civil servants, professionals and community leaders. Known for his compassion, he often waived fees for poor students and provided shelter and support to orphans and underprivileged children.
Apart from education and social leadership, he played a major role in improving infrastructure and public services in Yazali by facilitating pharmacy services, transport connectivity and local entrepreneurship at a time when the region lacked basic facilities.
Remembered as a fearless leader and committed patriot, Dr Tolum strongly opposed the proposed NEEPCO dam project that threatened Yazali and led several people’s movements to safeguard indigenous interests, cultural identity and community rights.
His demise has left a deep void in the socio-cultural and intellectual landscape of Arunachal Pradesh, with tributes pouring in from various organisations, leaders and well-wishers across the state.
Khandu, Mein, others mourn demise of Dr Bengia Tolum
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed deep grief over the untimely demise of veteran social leader, cultural icon and academician Bengia Tolum, describing his passing as an irreparable loss not only for the Nyishi community but for the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said Dr Tolum dedicated his entire life to the service of society with extraordinary commitment, wisdom and vision. He noted that as founder and long-serving leader of several apex community organisations, including the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), Tolum played a historic role in promoting communal harmony, preserving indigenous identity and strengthening peace and unity among tribal communities.
Recalling a close personal association, Khandu said Dr Tolum shared a deep friendship with his late father and former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu. He stated that both leaders worked tirelessly for the dignity, upliftment and empowerment of the Nyishi community.
The Chief Minister particularly remembered the historic movement that led to removal of the derogatory term “Dafla” from the Constitution of India and restoration of the rightful identity and pride of the Nyishi people, terming it one of the most significant achievements of that era.
Expressing condolences, Khandu conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members, relatives, admirers and the entire Nyishi community. He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and strength to the family and well-wishers to bear the irreparable loss.
Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Dr Bengia Tolum, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein described the former as a visionary leader and a committed social reformer who dedicated his life to the welfare, and played a pivotal role in strengthening Nyishi identity and rights of indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dr Bengia Tolum. Through his leadership in the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum, he worked tirelessly for the welfare, identity, and rights of indigenous communities. His immense contributions towards society and the State will always be remembered,” Mein stated.
He further said that Dr Tolum played a pivotal role in several historic initiatives aimed at promoting social harmony, cultural preservation, and inter-tribal peace in the state. His contributions towards education and social upliftment, including the establishment of the Abotani Academy and support for underprivileged students, have left a lasting impact on Arunachal Pradesh’s social and cultural landscape.
Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, friends, colleagues, admirers, and the larger community during this difficult time, the Dy CM said: “May Lord Buddha bless the departed soul with eternal peace and grant strength and comfort to the bereaved family.”
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has mourned the demise of Bengia Tolum.
In its condolence message to his wife Bengia Yazir, the APWWS said: “We are shocked at the sad news of Bengia Tolum’s demise. He lived a full and impactful life with his vision, commitment and contributions to the society in various capacities and particularly as president of the Nyishi Elite Society, and the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum. His invaluable contributions towards the welfare, development and progress of the society will be always remembered by the generations to come.”
In the meantime, the Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi (CALSOM) has deeply mourned the passing away of Bengia Tolum.
”With his demise, we have lost a cultural icon and great social reformer of the State. He has devoted his entire life in the service of people with pan Arunachal concept. The AITF under his leadership has resolved many sensitive issues of the State, for which the Org was awarded gold medal by the GoAP.”
Further, CALSOM has extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed Anv Donyi to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in this testing time.
The Arunachal Publishers & Broadcasters Guild (APBG), expressing profound grief and sorrow over the passing of Dr Bengia Tolum, described him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to society, education, indigenous culture, and public welfare transformed countless lives across Arunachal Pradesh and neighboring regions.
APBG stated that Dr Tolum’s contributions went far beyond organizational positions and titles. Whether promoting affordable education through Abotani Academy, supporting poor and orphaned students, preserving Nyishi language and literature, or standing firmly for indigenous rights and public causes, his life remained deeply rooted in selfless service.
The Guild noted that his relentless efforts in promoting education, culture, connectivity, healthcare access, and social harmony will continue to inspire generations to come. His courage in defending the interests of the Nyishi community and protecting Yazali from displacement due to the proposed dam project reflected his unwavering commitment to the people and the land.
APBG president Chopa Cheda said that Dr Bengia Tolum, who was also the father of senior journalist Bengia Ajum, was “not merely a leader, but an institution in himself whose vision, sacrifices, and humanitarian spirit shaped the destiny of thousands of families across Arunachal Pradesh.”
“He dedicated his entire life to uplifting society without expecting anything in return. Arunachal Pradesh has lost one of its finest sons, a fearless social reformer and a true guardian of indigenous identity and humanity,” he stated.
The Guild further conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, admirers, and well-wishers of Dr Tolum, and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.