SILCHAR: The non-Dimasa tribal organizations of Dima Hasao district on Monday brought out a huge rally in Haflong, the headquarters of the southern Assam district, seeking bifurcation of the hill district. Hundreds of tribals joined the rally, which was organized by the North Cachar Hills Indigenous Peoples Front (NCHIPF). The programme was supported by some other sister organizations of the NCHIPF. They demand bifurcation of the district into Dima Hasao and North Cachar Hill districts.
[caption id="attachment_2554" align="aligncenter" width="407" caption="Proposed Map of NC Hills"]
[/caption]The supporters of the bifurcation demand in the morning joined a march that covered various streets of the town and arrived in front of the office of the deputy commissioner. Their slogan was "No bifurcation, no rest". After the rally was over, the leaders of the NCHIPF sent a memorandum to chief minister Tarun Gogoi through the DC (Dima Hasao) Dilip Kumar Borthakur.
A spokesman of the NCHIPF, which is a platform for a number of non-Dimasa tribal organizations, said the government is reluctant to look into the demand despite the fact that the non-Dimasas have organized several rounds of agitation in a democratic manner. The spokesman said they would embark on a continued agitation if the government fails to bifurcate the autonomous district between the Dimasas and the non-Dimasa tribal groups.
They want that the Dimasa-dominated Maibang sub-division should be made a separate district named Dima Hasao, and they want another district comprising the Haflong sub-division that should be known as NC Hills. The NCHIPF and its sister organizations have been observing marathon bandhs, rail blockades and rallies over the issue.
Dimasas, the single largest community in the district, are against the bifurcation. The NCHIPF is a conglomeration of students belonging to Biete, Hrangkhawl, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Vaiphei, Zeme Naga, Jaintia, Khelma and other non-Dimasa ethnic groups. The government had changed the name of NC Hills to Dima Hasao district with effect from April 1 last year, attracting a lot of criticism from the non-Dimasa tribals.
Meanwhile, DHD(J), the surrendered militant outfit, has called a 24-hour bandh from 5am on Tuesday in Dima Hasao district. A spokesman of DHD(J) on Monday in Haflong said they have called the bandh in protest against atrocities by the Army and the security forces in the district. The bandh will continue till 5am on Wednesday. The outfit will also not allow movement of trains on the Lumding-Silchar section, he said. The spokesman alleged that the troops of the Dima Hasao-based 119 Territorial Army recently arrested Jalim Dimasa, a surrendered cadre of DHD(J) from Mahur, without any valid reason. Jalim is now in judicial custody in Haflong. The DHD(J) leadership has been demanding the release of the arrested cadre.
DHD(J) said they came into the mainstream after a ceremonial surrender more than one year ago. Despite this, the Army and security forces are out to harass them. The surrendered outfit also demands sending back 119 Territorial Army from the district.
Source: TNN
