The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) leaders from NC Hills, Assam met the Indian Home Minister P.Chidambaram today in New Delhi and appraised him of the prevailing problems faced by the non-Dimasa tribals in North Cachar Hills, Assam.
Submitting their memorandum to the HM, the IPF demanded that NC Autonomous District be bifurcated into two districts, one for the Dimasa and another for all the indigenous tribes bearing the name NC Hills, the Group of Minister's Committee be scrapped immediately and their recommendations be made null and void, the Government of Assam as well as the Centre should take serious step to prevent the reoccurrence of ethnic war and conflict and install peace, law and order in NC Hills and to protect and safeguard the traditional land rights, culture, custom and tradition of the tribals of Assam's NC Hills.
The HM promised to look into the grievances of the non-Dimasa tribals in NC Hills and also ask the CM of Assam to solve the issues faced by the non-Dimasa groups in NC hills at the earliest.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Non-Dimasa tribes from NC Hills to organise protest rally in Delhi
New Delhi, March 25, 2010: The Delhi Joint Action Committee on North Cachar Hills (JAC), comprising Hmar Students’ Association, Kuki Students’ Organisation, Zillai and Zeliangrong Students’ Union, will stage a protest rally against the Assam Cabinet decision to change NC Hills Autonomous District nomenclature to Dima Hasao District, here at Parliament Street today at 11.00 AM, according to a press release.
The rally will start from Jantar Mantar and large number of people are expected to take part in the event.
“We cannot afford to be silent observer in this crucial time. Make an obligation to participate in the interest of our suffering people who must also have a humane future. The attempt to create a Dimasa homeland in Assam’s NC Hills has resulted in ethnic cleansing campaign by the Dimasa armed groups – DHD (N) and DHD (J) – since 2003. This led to three major ethnic conflicts: Dimasa-Hmar conflict (2003), Dimasa-Karbi conflict (2005) and Dimasa-Zeme Naga conflict (2009) respectively,” the JAC statement said.
The three conflict has tolled many innocent lives, displaced hundreds of families and threatened the prospect of the democratic and citizenship rights of the Biete, Hrangkhawl, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Vaiphei, Zeme Naga, etc., who constitutes 57% of the population. After sowing the seed of fear and threat, the Dimasa armed groups, in collusion with their politicians, have been doggedly pushing our people out of NC Hills.
On September 9, 2009, the Government of Assam constituted a Group of Minister’s (GoM) Committee to look into the issue of renaming NC Hills district and to make appropriate recommendation. On February 5, 2010, the GoM Committee submitted its recommendation. The recommendation has raised serious concern for the non- Dimasa indigenous peoples.
“The Committee’s attempt to carve “Dima Hasao District” out of the present NC Hills is a communal design by giving in to the narrow demands of the Dimasa militants who have been terrorizing and paralyzing the hill district,” said the organising members.
The non-Dimasa communities in NC Hills have been pressing the Tarun Gogoi government to scrapped the GoM decision and their recommendations ought to be made null and void. “The GoM Committee totally ignores the democratic and multi-ethnic character of NC Hills and is far from understanding the complexities of the hill district,” the JAC statement said.
The JAC and Indigenous Peoples Forum are also demanding the bifurcation of NC Hills if the name of the district is changed. “Our people in NC Hills have collectively resolved to stand united in upholding their rights and dignity. The collective leadership has been petitioning the concerned authorities in Assam and New Delhi several times for a just political solution: bifurcation of NC Hills into two districts, one for the Dimasa and another for all the indigenous tribes.”
The rally will start from Jantar Mantar and large number of people are expected to take part in the event.
“We cannot afford to be silent observer in this crucial time. Make an obligation to participate in the interest of our suffering people who must also have a humane future. The attempt to create a Dimasa homeland in Assam’s NC Hills has resulted in ethnic cleansing campaign by the Dimasa armed groups – DHD (N) and DHD (J) – since 2003. This led to three major ethnic conflicts: Dimasa-Hmar conflict (2003), Dimasa-Karbi conflict (2005) and Dimasa-Zeme Naga conflict (2009) respectively,” the JAC statement said.
The three conflict has tolled many innocent lives, displaced hundreds of families and threatened the prospect of the democratic and citizenship rights of the Biete, Hrangkhawl, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Vaiphei, Zeme Naga, etc., who constitutes 57% of the population. After sowing the seed of fear and threat, the Dimasa armed groups, in collusion with their politicians, have been doggedly pushing our people out of NC Hills.
On September 9, 2009, the Government of Assam constituted a Group of Minister’s (GoM) Committee to look into the issue of renaming NC Hills district and to make appropriate recommendation. On February 5, 2010, the GoM Committee submitted its recommendation. The recommendation has raised serious concern for the non- Dimasa indigenous peoples.
“The Committee’s attempt to carve “Dima Hasao District” out of the present NC Hills is a communal design by giving in to the narrow demands of the Dimasa militants who have been terrorizing and paralyzing the hill district,” said the organising members.
The non-Dimasa communities in NC Hills have been pressing the Tarun Gogoi government to scrapped the GoM decision and their recommendations ought to be made null and void. “The GoM Committee totally ignores the democratic and multi-ethnic character of NC Hills and is far from understanding the complexities of the hill district,” the JAC statement said.
The JAC and Indigenous Peoples Forum are also demanding the bifurcation of NC Hills if the name of the district is changed. “Our people in NC Hills have collectively resolved to stand united in upholding their rights and dignity. The collective leadership has been petitioning the concerned authorities in Assam and New Delhi several times for a just political solution: bifurcation of NC Hills into two districts, one for the Dimasa and another for all the indigenous tribes.”
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Brahmaputra Studies: Monuments Dimapur
Dimapur, now an important border city between Assam and Nagaland, has a peculiar status : although it is in Nagaland, yet it is within the "Inner Line", which means that any person can reach the place, either an Indian citizen or a foreigner with a normal visa. Dimapur is a mixed name (Dima is a Dimasa name meaning "river", and here designates the Dhansiri ; -pur is the common Indian name for "town"), was something like a capital city for the Dimasa kingdom until the 16th century. The Ahom chronicles describe how the Ahom expanding power waged war against the local "kings", and especially the conflict between the Ahom king Suhum and the people named Timisa in the Tai-Ahom chronicles, Kachari in te Assamese ones. In 1536, the city of Dimapur was stormed and (so it seems) destroyed. The extract here, from the 1930 edition by G.C. Barua, is related to this event : on the left, the Ahom text.
The British officials visiting the place during the early 19th century re-discovered, close to the city center but half-hidden in a jungle patch, an important group of stone pillars. Some had a "Y" shape which was also found in use among some Naga people; but most had a peculiar "mushroom" figure with a bigger round head. Nothing of the kind is known anywhere else in India or (as far as we know) in South-East Asia. Nor do we know what was the use of these big pillars. It is unlikely they were supporting a roof, because they differ in heigth.
Here are samples from our collection of photos of the site.
A view on one of the stone groups. The more recent gate is visible behind on the right.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
A group of stones. Some stones or stone fragments have probably been transported : the older plan of the site is difficult to assess.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
Among this group, some Y shaped stones.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
A fallen pillar. Traditional motives (the affronted peacocks) confront more alien decoration.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
Another slab.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
One of the highest pillars, about 7m high.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
More recently (17th or 18th century), a gate has been built.
FROM brahmaputra.vjf
The British officials visiting the place during the early 19th century re-discovered, close to the city center but half-hidden in a jungle patch, an important group of stone pillars. Some had a "Y" shape which was also found in use among some Naga people; but most had a peculiar "mushroom" figure with a bigger round head. Nothing of the kind is known anywhere else in India or (as far as we know) in South-East Asia. Nor do we know what was the use of these big pillars. It is unlikely they were supporting a roof, because they differ in heigth.
Here are samples from our collection of photos of the site.
A view on one of the stone groups. The more recent gate is visible behind on the right.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
A group of stones. Some stones or stone fragments have probably been transported : the older plan of the site is difficult to assess.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
Among this group, some Y shaped stones.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
A fallen pillar. Traditional motives (the affronted peacocks) confront more alien decoration.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
Another slab.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
One of the highest pillars, about 7m high.
Source : photo by F. Jacquesson.
More recently (17th or 18th century), a gate has been built.
FROM brahmaputra.vjf
Dimasa-English lexicon
Lexicon Dimasa > English
1226 entries
NB: the letter "j", according to IPA use is for English "y" as in "yoke".
* indicates loanwords
click HERE to continue......
1226 entries
NB: the letter "j", according to IPA use is for English "y" as in "yoke".
* indicates loanwords
click HERE to continue......
A Dimasa Grammar
Contents
Acknowledgments 5
Glosses 7
Sentence types 9
Verbs 20
Nouns 40
Pronouns 52
Numerals and Classifiers 55
Observations on lexicon 57
click HERE to continue....
Acknowledgments 5
Glosses 7
Sentence types 9
Verbs 20
Nouns 40
Pronouns 52
Numerals and Classifiers 55
Observations on lexicon 57
click HERE to continue....
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Joint Action Committee on NC Hills formed in Delhi
New Delhi, March 20, 2010: The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) from Assam’s North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council, which has been spearheading the campaign to stop the re-naming of the district to Dima Hasao Raji, and several non-Dimasa student organisations have formed a ‘New Delhi Joint Action Committtee on NC Hills’ to chart out future strategy.
The March 18 meeting held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus was attended by members from the IPF, Hmar Students’ Association, Zeliangrong Students Union and Kuki Students Organisation.
These student bodies have decided to support the IPF to organise a protest rally in New Delhi against the Assam cabinet decision to change the district name as per the wishes of the recently surrendered Dimasa militant group Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Gorlosa). The Jewel Gorlosa faction which laid down arms on October 2, 2009 had demanded the change in nomenclature and has the support of the Dimasa community. But groups like the Zeme Nagas, the Hmars, Kukis and the Bietes are opposed to it.
The IPF had earlier rejected the Tarun Gogoi government decision to change the district name on the ground that the population ratio of the Dimasa community in the NC Hills which was just 43 per cent.
NC Hills is home to several non-Dimasa tribes belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of people like the Hmars, Bietes, Hrangkhawls, Kukis, Lushais and others. Besides, there are also a large number of Naga tribes.
The March 18 meeting held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus was attended by members from the IPF, Hmar Students’ Association, Zeliangrong Students Union and Kuki Students Organisation.
These student bodies have decided to support the IPF to organise a protest rally in New Delhi against the Assam cabinet decision to change the district name as per the wishes of the recently surrendered Dimasa militant group Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Gorlosa). The Jewel Gorlosa faction which laid down arms on October 2, 2009 had demanded the change in nomenclature and has the support of the Dimasa community. But groups like the Zeme Nagas, the Hmars, Kukis and the Bietes are opposed to it.
The IPF had earlier rejected the Tarun Gogoi government decision to change the district name on the ground that the population ratio of the Dimasa community in the NC Hills which was just 43 per cent.
NC Hills is home to several non-Dimasa tribes belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of people like the Hmars, Bietes, Hrangkhawls, Kukis, Lushais and others. Besides, there are also a large number of Naga tribes.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
FIR filed
Bela Dimasa, commander of the Jatinga-based designated camp of the DHD (J), lodged an FIR with Maibong police station on Wednesday alleging that he was beaten up by jawans of the Territorial Army at Mahur on Tuesday.
Vexed Naga Issue Towards settlement By B G Verghese
Both the Naga and the larger Indian leadership need to abandon wornout notions to embrace emerging opportunities.
The talks being conducted by the government with the Nagas through the NSCN (IM) appears to have entered the final lap. Both sides by now well understand the other. After meetings with the prime minister and home minister, Muivah is currently in dialogue with the new interlocutor, R S Pandey, a just retired IAS officer drawn from the Nagaland cadre. He succeeded K Padmanabhiah who over several rounds of talks with Muivah and Iasac Swu, patiently constructed the framework within which a settlement is now sought.
The government’s acceptance of the ‘unique’ history of the Nagas laid the foundations of trust and further progress. The NSCN (IM) started with two primary demands, sovereignty and Nagalim, or the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas within India (and ‘eastern Nagaland’ in Myanmar). Over time, the government has more or less been able to persuade the NSCN (IM) that the states within India’s structure of cooperative federalism are co-sovereigns within a commonwealth. Going beyond that, however, it has conceded that the Nagas’ unique identity merits unique recognition through additional devolution within the framework of the Constitution.
The NSCN (IM) was asked to consider what part of the Indian Constitution the Nagas were freely willing to accept and what additional heads, safeguards and features they might wish to inscribe within a special ‘Naga constitution’ that could perhaps be incorporated as a separate chapter within the Indian Constitution. Critics might scream, but a moment’s reflection will convince them that there are many mini-constitutions or special dispensations within the Indian Constitution. These are spelt out in Articles 370, 371, and 371-A (pertaining to Nagaland) to 371-I and the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, and extend to special affirmative action covenants pertaining to the scheduled castes and tribes, OBCs, and religious and linguistic minorities. All these subtle variations are so much part of our constitutional and social landscape and have been so completely internalised that we often fail to note their existence.
Some of this might be done by transferring to the State List certain items that are now in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule through a constitutional amendment. This should not be problematic as some of this has already been done to a limited extent in the existing Article 371-A. Still wider devolution is possible through Article 258 under which the Centre is empowered to ‘entrust’ to a state “any matter to which the executive power of the Union extends.” None of this will affect the unity and integrity of the country because of the accommodative genius of the Indian Constitution. Nor is there any cause to fear a domino effect, whatever others may claim, as the Naga case is sui generis.
Imagined boundaries
The other issue of Nagalim too is not intractable. The imagined boundaries of Nagalim, as sometimes drawn, have little historical basis as the Naga tribes, like their cousins in much of the Northeast, have been and perhaps still are migratory.
Dimapur, for instance, the most prized territorial plum, was the capital of the Dimasa kingdom. It is now a predominantly Naga city and so it must remain, despite Dimasa claims, as history cannot be rolled back.
The solution lies not in territorial reorganisation, which will be resented and resisted, but in the coming together of these other Naga populated areas in a non-territorial entity. This would permit a coming together of all Nagas for purposes of economic, social and cultural development without derogation of current administrative jurisdictions.
An example of this is to be found in the existing apex councils first created by Hiteshwar Saikia in Assam to accommodate the common interests of small scattered tribes like the Tiwas, Rabhas and Mishings who live in non-contiguous villages spread over a wider area. The apex councils elect an executive body to administer a devolved budget and plan through their own key personnel in case of ‘transferred subjects.’
In a non-territorial ‘Naga peoplehood,’ however, distinctively Naga areas in Assam, Arunacal and Manipur could be empowered to administer common programmes of economic and social development. This could be done by means of any of several administrative devices overseen by the parent state on the one hand that enable the administered units across state boundaries to sing from the same page.
Imaginative and creative solutions are available. Some already exist; others can be enabled by constitutional amendment. The K-group has denounced the IM-group for forsaking ‘sovereignty.’ These are bargaining counters. Yet, it is absolutely necessary to get on board all shades of Naga opinion, IM, K and the two factions of the Naga National Council that Phizo founded, to endorse an overall settlement.
That Muivah is a Thangkul Naga from Manipur and Khaplang a Hemi Naga from Burma does not matter. Given a just and true settlement, each can find a place of honour in the new scheme of things. Nobody need feel left out.
It is necessary to travel in order to arrive. Both the Naga and the larger Indian leadership and societies need to abandon wornout notions to embrace emerging opportunities. An end to Naga conflict will be a triumph and a balm and will signal that insurgency anywhere is not the path to peace and progress.
The talks being conducted by the government with the Nagas through the NSCN (IM) appears to have entered the final lap. Both sides by now well understand the other. After meetings with the prime minister and home minister, Muivah is currently in dialogue with the new interlocutor, R S Pandey, a just retired IAS officer drawn from the Nagaland cadre. He succeeded K Padmanabhiah who over several rounds of talks with Muivah and Iasac Swu, patiently constructed the framework within which a settlement is now sought.
The government’s acceptance of the ‘unique’ history of the Nagas laid the foundations of trust and further progress. The NSCN (IM) started with two primary demands, sovereignty and Nagalim, or the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas within India (and ‘eastern Nagaland’ in Myanmar). Over time, the government has more or less been able to persuade the NSCN (IM) that the states within India’s structure of cooperative federalism are co-sovereigns within a commonwealth. Going beyond that, however, it has conceded that the Nagas’ unique identity merits unique recognition through additional devolution within the framework of the Constitution.
The NSCN (IM) was asked to consider what part of the Indian Constitution the Nagas were freely willing to accept and what additional heads, safeguards and features they might wish to inscribe within a special ‘Naga constitution’ that could perhaps be incorporated as a separate chapter within the Indian Constitution. Critics might scream, but a moment’s reflection will convince them that there are many mini-constitutions or special dispensations within the Indian Constitution. These are spelt out in Articles 370, 371, and 371-A (pertaining to Nagaland) to 371-I and the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, and extend to special affirmative action covenants pertaining to the scheduled castes and tribes, OBCs, and religious and linguistic minorities. All these subtle variations are so much part of our constitutional and social landscape and have been so completely internalised that we often fail to note their existence.
Some of this might be done by transferring to the State List certain items that are now in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule through a constitutional amendment. This should not be problematic as some of this has already been done to a limited extent in the existing Article 371-A. Still wider devolution is possible through Article 258 under which the Centre is empowered to ‘entrust’ to a state “any matter to which the executive power of the Union extends.” None of this will affect the unity and integrity of the country because of the accommodative genius of the Indian Constitution. Nor is there any cause to fear a domino effect, whatever others may claim, as the Naga case is sui generis.
Imagined boundaries
The other issue of Nagalim too is not intractable. The imagined boundaries of Nagalim, as sometimes drawn, have little historical basis as the Naga tribes, like their cousins in much of the Northeast, have been and perhaps still are migratory.
Dimapur, for instance, the most prized territorial plum, was the capital of the Dimasa kingdom. It is now a predominantly Naga city and so it must remain, despite Dimasa claims, as history cannot be rolled back.
The solution lies not in territorial reorganisation, which will be resented and resisted, but in the coming together of these other Naga populated areas in a non-territorial entity. This would permit a coming together of all Nagas for purposes of economic, social and cultural development without derogation of current administrative jurisdictions.
An example of this is to be found in the existing apex councils first created by Hiteshwar Saikia in Assam to accommodate the common interests of small scattered tribes like the Tiwas, Rabhas and Mishings who live in non-contiguous villages spread over a wider area. The apex councils elect an executive body to administer a devolved budget and plan through their own key personnel in case of ‘transferred subjects.’
In a non-territorial ‘Naga peoplehood,’ however, distinctively Naga areas in Assam, Arunacal and Manipur could be empowered to administer common programmes of economic and social development. This could be done by means of any of several administrative devices overseen by the parent state on the one hand that enable the administered units across state boundaries to sing from the same page.
Imaginative and creative solutions are available. Some already exist; others can be enabled by constitutional amendment. The K-group has denounced the IM-group for forsaking ‘sovereignty.’ These are bargaining counters. Yet, it is absolutely necessary to get on board all shades of Naga opinion, IM, K and the two factions of the Naga National Council that Phizo founded, to endorse an overall settlement.
That Muivah is a Thangkul Naga from Manipur and Khaplang a Hemi Naga from Burma does not matter. Given a just and true settlement, each can find a place of honour in the new scheme of things. Nobody need feel left out.
It is necessary to travel in order to arrive. Both the Naga and the larger Indian leadership and societies need to abandon wornout notions to embrace emerging opportunities. An end to Naga conflict will be a triumph and a balm and will signal that insurgency anywhere is not the path to peace and progress.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dimasa Kacharis celebrate post-harvest festival(morungexpress)
(LEFT) Two young men in a game of ‘Rhimin Nelaima’ a traditional game resembling tug-of-war played inside a circle. The one who succeeds in pushing his opponent out of the marked circle wins. (RIGHT) Dimasa damsels and men present a Dimasa folk song with the accompaniment of traditional percussion. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 27 (MExN): Bamunpukhuri II village, Dimapur on Wednesday, January 27 celebrated ‘Bishudi’, a post-harvest festival of the Dimasa Kacharis. It was celebrated with much pomp and fanfare at the village GPS ground. Head GB of Bamunpukhuri village, Robin Daulguphu grace the celebration as the chief guest while Lemsem Hojai, VCC, Bamunpukhuri II was the guest of honour. The festivity was marked by presentation of various cultural songs, dances and games. No festival can be complete without food, the celebrations culminated with a sumptuous community feast.
PICTURES OF HAFLONG
HAFLONG LAKE (THE HEART OF HAFLONG)
VIEW FROM CIRCUIT HOUSE
CHILDREN PARK
VIEW OF HANGING BRIDGE(HAFLONG)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
BAGAOBA AND DIMASA TRADITIONAL DANCE
ORIGINAL BAGAOBA'S lyrics
Baoring jawing jingswe,
Araonjai baoring jiwang jingse
Jiwang jingse sonai soni wangselei.
Jawring gainlao aki hangmai gao,
Heleo ronjai mairing gede gom
Aki longo kilong longba meser,
Gesemsa lairui nihangloba meser,
Gesemsa lairui lai.
Sengmai gaomai senem bamse,
Baigaoke atem maigao,
Goke naisong naigaoyalao,
Semringpake ningrimjen atem
Baujailang.
DIMASA TRADITIONAL DANCE IN BUSU DIMA FESTIVAL
>DIMASA TRADITIONAL DANCE IN BUSU DIMA FESTIVAL(2)
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