Students flay creation of Dima Hasao Raji

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 25 2010: In the wake of the February 2010 recommendation for a solution to the North Cachar Hills district issue, by the Group of Ministers committee constituted by Assam Government in 2009, Delhi based Hmar Students' Association, Kuki Students' Organisation and Zeliangrong Students' Union, took out a protest rally against creation of a new district "Dima Hasao Raji".

The student protestors were apprehensive that such initiative from the Government will flare-up more violence in the already volatile situation of the NC hills.

Protestors demanded that the NC hills be bifurcated, if one Dima Hasao for Dimasas, then another for the remaining indigenous tribal communities, who constitute 57 percent of the population retaining the name of NC hills; that the GoM committee be scraped and the recommendation be declared null and void.



Members/volunteers of various student organisations take out a protest demonstration in New Delhi


In a press release, the student groups noted that the process of creation of the Dimasa homeland had resulted in major conflicts in 2003, 2005 and 2009 in the district.

It stated that the GoM is giving in to the demands of Dimasa armed groups and that the recommendation is for thwarting the design of the NSCN for greater Nagalim.

It further mentioned that an amount of Rs 1000 crore meant for development of NC hills was siphoned off, where the GoM committee members were allegedly involved.

It may be mentioned that in August 29, 2009, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had reportedly reviewed the law and order situation of NC hills with State officials.

Interacting with tribal community leaders the CM had assured them that under no circumstances Assam will be divided again and there will be no division of NC hills in the name of nomenclature dispute of the district.