Silchar, October 14, 2011: Hills Tiger Force (HTF), a militant outfit of various non-Dimasa ethnic tribes of Dima Hasao district, claimed responsibility for the killing of a former DHD (J) militant James, the former ‘Home Secretary’ of DHD (J) was gunned down by unidentified miscreants on Thursday night.
In the wee-hour of Friday, miscreants burnt down at least eight houses, belonging to the people of Dimasa community at Longen village, four km from Haflong. Lunnch Kuki, the self-styled secretary, information and publicity told The Sentinel that they had killed James and burnt the Dimasa village to protest the government’s move to sign a peace pact with the DHD. During the puja days, the HTF had attacked a goods train, shot the driver, and burnt the engine at Migrendisa.
James Dimasa, once a dreaded militant laid down arms ceremonially on October 2, 2009 when the DHD (J) surrendered to the government. James later withdrew from the outfit and raised his own splinter group. On Thursday, when he was returning from his residence’s place, his Safari car was attacked by two unidentified gunmen at a place just three km from Haflong town. They pumped bullets into James’ body who died on the spot. His body guard and a friend who were also in the vehicle, were unhurt.
Two incidents had alarmed the district administration and the police. A peace meeting was held at Haflong to ensure normalcy. Meanwhile, Indigenous People’s Forum, an umbrella organization of the various non-Dimasa tribes, condemned the violent incidents that has taken place in the last ten days. Athong Lienthang, president and Ngaidam P, general secretary of the IPF appealed to all section of the people to maintain peace.
~The Sentinel
