The puroiks are known as Sulings which means slave.They are known to be one innocent tribe which has been working as slave under stronger tribes of the region.
Nine students of this community received governor’s excellence award. The recipients of the award include Jachinta Yakali, Yari Bechang, Laxman Bechangdao, Papi Yapa, Haye Danny, Ban Gram Yakli, Ruth Yachu, Eliza Puroik, and Daniel Bechang. This award serves as a testament to the value that the administration places on education and empowerment as crucial drivers of progress.
Puroiks are found in an estimated 53 villages in the districts of Subansiri and Upper Subansiri, Papumpare, Kurung Kumey, and East Kameng. Earlier they were treated as bonded labourers, but now they are a free tribe. Their true freedom began in the 1990s, when the state tribal communities stopped keeping them as laborers. They are a scheduled tribe in India. Economically they are at a transitional stage between a hunter gatherer lifestyle and agriculturalism.
At the tender age of 10, a girl from Puroik tribe of Arunachal Pradesh was given as a bridepiece to her master’s new daughter in law as they could not afford the customary Mithun. She was harassed mentally and physically which became the cause of her death at a very tender age.
According to official census there are 9000 Puroiks, but the community believes that the actual number of it’s community is 20,000. The Governor’s excellence award to the students is a step towards socio-economic development aacademic and inclusiveness of the community.
