Jonai

Jonai
Town
Jonai
Coordinates: 27°50′N 95°13′E / 27.83°N 95.22°E / 27.83; 95.22Coordinates: 27°50′N 95°13′E / 27.83°N 95.22°E / 27.83; 95.22
Country	India
State	Assam
District	Dhemaji District
Languages
• Official	Assamese
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration	AR

Jonai (Assamese: জোনাই) is a sub-division of Dhemaji District in the state of Assam in India.

Demographics

Jonai is the easternmost sub-division of Dhemaji District, about 554 km from the state capital, Guwahati. It is located at 27.83°N, 95.22°E. Covering a total Geographical area of 1111.81 km², it is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh in the north, Lali & Brahmaputra River in the south, Sipiya river & Sadiya Subdivision of Tinsukia district in the east and Simen River in the west. The headquarters is at 95.160 E and 27.770 N. The Sub-division comprises with one Development Block named by Murkong Selek Tribal Development Block, One Revenue Circle named by Jonai Revenue Circle and 15 Nos. of Gaon Panchayats.According to 2001 census, the population of Jonai is 143,199. Jonai has a literacy rate of 64.9% according to the census 2001. But currently it has literacy rate above the national level.

Governance

Jonai is part of Lakhimpur (Lok Sabha constituency).^[1] Jonai is a Vidhan Sabha Constituency. It has its own Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) which is a reserved seat for Schedule Tribe quota. Jonai comes under the Mishing Autonomous Council(MAC) area. After the approval of MAC by the Indian government, development in Jonai is progressing rapidly. The most popular political parties are Indian National Congress(INC),Sanmilita Ganasakthi Asom (SGSA), Bharatia Janata Party(BJP), Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) etc. Election campaign are too important in this region because of frequent changing of representatives. Most in every election people of Jonai change their representatives. Moreover, Jonai is a very beautiful and small town. It lies on the border of Arunachal Pradesh state. It connects to the rest of the country through national highway no 52. It is also the last railway station of the Indian Railways which stretches towards the east. The name of the railway station is Murkong Selek which is paralysed since 2000 and government is unable to take necessary steps in restoring its service.

People

Jonai is mostly inhabited by the Mishing the second largest tribal group in Assam. About 95% of inhabitant are Mishing community and only 5% belong to other community according to 2011 Census of India. The literacy rate of Jonai is much higher than the national level. Ali Ai Ligang is their popular festival. On that day they prepare a local home made rice beer known as 'Apong', available in two varieties i.e. NOGIN and PO:RO. Also they serve their guests with Purang apin, pe:red oying and 'E.g. adin ba:nam' (roasted pork), which really tastes delicious.On the eve of Ali Ai Ligang the Mishing girls and boys dressed their best traditional dress.The festival is celebrated with performing dance and singing mishing bihu song. Another Festival like Dobur and Porag are mostly celebrated along with national festival like Bihu, Durga Puja, Lakhsmi Puja, Diwali etc. Agriculture, Hand loom and Services are the main source of earning among the common people here.

Nature and tourism

A vast forest reserve named Poba is situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra near 'Tinmile Ghat' and Bogibeel Ghat from where ferry or boat services under the inland water transport services are available for sail to Dibrugarh. Various extinct wild animals viz Tiger, Elephant, Deer, Mongoose, Snake, Bear, and Monkey are found in those forests. This area has a good scope to be a wildlife sanctuary. Teenmile Ghat is also a good picnic spot with a good view of the Brahmaputra and a part of the Himalayan Range. There are also many beautiful picnic spots surrounding Jonai, in the Arunachal Pradesh area. Jonai is known for its scenic beauty and green flora and fauna. The picturesque Himalayan range seen from the Jonai town is view worthy. There is also a good scope for investment here, this paradise is still unexplored. One can stay at the 'Circuit House' and the newly constructed government tourist lodge. There are many shops at the Jonai Bazar area where all types of necessary commodities are found. Night life is minimal though lots of watering holes around town.One can also visit Sonam Restaurant Jonai, a fast food restaurant at jonai (www.facebook.com/sonamrestaurant web:- www.sonamrestaurant.doodlekit.com ) Near Ruksin Check gate for mouth watering momos, thukpas, chow mein, fried rice and hot coffees. From Ruksin one can continue to Pasighat and ranaghat a very beautiful place of scenic beauty and good hangouts.transport can be arranged by sonam restaurant for connecting places .

Transport

Air

The nearest airport is at Lilabari in North Lakhimpur and Mohanbari Airport (Dibrugarh) from where direct flights are available to and fro Guwahati and Delhi. But only a few flights are available weekly.

Rail

Jonai is best linked by the Indian Railways by its rail network. Murkongselek is the last station of the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. It is being planned to extend it up to Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) very soon. After that direct trains from New Delhi would be made available.

Road

Jonai is best visited by roadways. It falls by the National Highway 52. The road to Jonai lies through a very picturesque valley behind the Mighty Arunachal Hills. One can hire Several luxury buses of Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) and numerous privately owned buses like Blue Hill Travels, Network Tarvels, Royal Tours & Travels and maxi cabs which runs from ISBT Guwahati and Paltan Bazar Guwahati to reach Jonai. It is well connected to Arunachal Pradesh through NH 52 and Dibrugarh through boat and Ferry. After the completion of Bogibeel bridge Jonai will be connected in every direction. 24 hours bus services are available in the sub division along with small sumo services like magic, winger, sumo, auto etc. Most of the people travel through small sumo services when they travel within the region.

Waterways

Ferry and transport services are available at Bogibeel Ghat about 67 km from Jonai, Tinmile Ghat, about 8 kilometers from Jonai Bazar, and Singajan Ghat (commonly called Majorbari Ghat), about 6 kilometers from Simen Chapori. Due to lack of medical colleges and good hospitals in Dhemaji, people throng to Dibrugarh, via these river ports.

Climate

Politics

Jonai is part of Lakhimpur (Lok Sabha constituency).

References