Although, they were initially hill dwellers, they later migrated to the plains and started living on the banks of rivers of Assam. The reason for this change of habitat is not known, but one theory says that the Misings presently living in plains of Assam were not one single tribe, but it evolved into one when many tribes from various Tani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh migrated to the plains of Assam. This explains the presence of many Mising clans with different Mising dialects as well as different levels of development. As per historians, the Mishings came down to the plains in two groups, the Barogam and the Dohgam. Other theories stated that the Misings in hill regions of the Subansiri-Siang region were subordinate to the Abors, and so migrated to the plains to escape their plight. Mising folktales speak of an ambush of Burmese soldiers by Misings on the Brahmaputra, implying Misings were established in Assam before the Burmese invasions of 1817. However during the early British period Misings continued to move down to the plains but even they would continue to face raids from their former Abor overlords. British administrators also tried to force many Misings back to the hills into their old subordinate status. However when the British pacified the hill tribes, the Misings were able to live in peace in the plains. In 1924, educated Mising tribes formed the (Great Assembly of the Mising), now an important Mising organization. Autonomy movement The Misings currently has some state autonomy under the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC), which was formed in 1995 following violent clashes in early 90s for greater autonomy. MAC includes 40 constituencies in eight upper Assam districts comprising core areas and satellite areas. Executive councillor (EC) from 36 constituency are elected democratically while 4 other members are represented by the ruling government of Assam. Tensions exist between the Mising tribe and other communities regarding the inclusion of few Non-Mising villages in MAC. Although no violence occurred between Misings and non-Misings, however some non-Mising unions clashed with the police. MAC area constitutes more than 60% ST population and other communities are a minority. Most of the Misings today reside in the districts of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur, bordering Arunachal Pradesh, while a significant number is present in the Majuli district as well. Since 1983, Mising organizations have been demanding Sixth Schedule status under the Constitution of India. Various Mising