Diphu is a town in the Karbi Anglong district of the state of Assam, India. It is the meeting place of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the headquarter of Karbi Anglong district.

Etymology

The word Diphu came from Dimasa language, 'Di' stand for 'clear liquid/water', and 'Phu' stand for 'to pass through', meaning a place where 'clear river pass through'. Historically, it is said that the stream in Diphu carries large amounts of sediment during the rainy season, giving it a whitish colour, hence its name. However, the rivulet from which the town derived it name has lost its beauty, due to urbanisation, encroachment, lack of regulations, and proper oversight.

Geography

Diphu is located at 25.83°N, 93.43°W. It has an average elevation of 186 metres (610 feet). It is about 270 km by road and 213 km by railways from Guwahati. The town is located on a hilly plateau.

Demographics

Population

As of the 2011 census of India, Diphu had a population of 61,797. Based on population, it is classified as a class-II city (between 50,000 and 99,999 inhabitants). Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Diphu has an average literacy rate of 90%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy rate is 94% and female literacy rate is 86%. In Diphu, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Languages

Karbi is the most spoken language at 25,045 speakers, followed by Bengali at 13,400 and Assamese at 8,007, Hindi is spoken by 5,277 people, Nepali at 2,712 and Bodo at 1,909.

Religion

The dominant religion of the town is Hinduism, followed by Christianity and Islam.

Culture

The town is home to many indigenous communities and other communities from rest of the country. Dimasa Kachari, Karbis, Rengma, Tiwa Kachari, Bodo Kachari, Garo Kachari and Rabha Kachari being the major tribes of the district. The town exhibits peaceful and harmonious coexistence among them. It houses temples, churches, mosques and gurudwaras. The town celebrates all the major festivals together with much fun-fare. Rongker, Bushu-Dima(Bisu), Wangala, Bihu, Sikpui-Ruoi, Christmas, Durga Puja, Diwali, Baikho and other festivals are celebrated with fervour and joy.

Educational institutions

Health infrastructure

Transportation

Road

National Highway 329 and National Highway 329A passes through the town. Diphu is well connected to most districts and important towns of Assam by Government and private buses. Shared Car also ply between nearby town and places. Auto rickshaw is the main mode of transport within the town. A flyover bridge is currently being built to avoid traffic congestion in the town.

Rail

The town is served by Diphu railway station of Northeast Frontier Railway zone which lies on Lumding–Dibrugarh section. Many crucial trains connect the town like Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Chandigarh Express, Nagaland Express etc.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in Karbi Anglong. The multipurpose Karbi Anglong Sports Association (KASA) Stadium is home to Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, a professional football club based in Diphu. It competes in the top division Assam State Premier League. Currently, there is one Stadium at KASA Sports Complex and another under construction at Chutianala, Diphu.

Politics

At national level, Diphu fall under the Diphu Lok Sabha constituency. Amarsing Tisso of Bharatiya Janata Party is the current Member of Parliament, and office holder of the constituency, serving since 2024. At state level, Diphu town is under Diphu Assembly constituency, and Bidya Sing Engleng is the current MLA, and office holder of the constituency. At Autonomous council level, Diphu fall under the purview of Lumbajong MAC Constituency of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Johny Timung is the current MAC (Member of Autonomous Council), and office holder of the constituency.

Notable people