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REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT 



6. From Namroop Puthar to Beesa Lacoom. Direction south- 

 west, the distance 12 miles, the course extending at first over low 

 hills and difficult ground, thence through heavy jungle intersected 

 by narrow plains, lastly chiefly along the banks of the Darap Panee. 



Nature of the country. — It will be seen that with the exception of 

 the three first marches, and part of the fourth, the country is occu- 

 pied by the heavy jungle so prevalent in these parts. The chief 

 difficulties our party experienced arose from the limited manner in 

 which the jungle had been cut for their passage. 



Rivers. — The only one not fordable in the above route, is the 

 Karam Panee, but this does not hold good either above or below the 

 place I crossed. They all discharge much water during the rains, 

 and even in the dry season are navigable for small canoes. 



Villages. — These are as follows : — 



1. Digalo Gohain Goung. — On the right bank of the Noa Dihing 

 it is inhabited by Kamptees lately settled in our territory, and is a 

 respectable village. The Noa Dihing here ceases to be navigable 

 even for small canoes. 



2. Wakhet. — This is a new but wretched village, inhabited by 

 Singphos. Wakhet Gam was an adherent of the Duphas, and is by 

 all account one of the worst- disposed Singpho chiefs. He is said 

 even at this period still to traffic occasionally in slaves. 



3. Kidding. — A temporary village, containing about 10 houses, 

 inhabited by Nagas, now naturalised to the plains. 



4. Namroop Puthar. — So called from a plain on the left bank 

 of the Namroop. The village, which is a mean and despicable one, 

 is on the opposite bank. 



5. Beesa Lacoom. — Is situated on the right bank of the Darap 

 Panee, which is fordable at the heads of the rapids. It contains 12 

 small houses. The Gam is, I believe, an uncle of the Beesa Gam, 

 and exercises exclusive controul over the tribe of Beesa Nagas. This 

 influence he appeared to exercise to our disadvantage. He is a dis- 

 contented man, and his behaviour to our party was very unsatisfac- 

 tory. 



Population* — This is scanty enough, particularly when we consi- 

 der that the houses in the above villages are much smaller than in 

 the better sort of Singpho villages. With the exception of the 



* Most of the Singphos subject to our controul are located between Kujoo Ghat 

 and the Boorec Dihing, as well as on the banks of this river and in the valley 

 of the Tenga Panee. 



