Ultras nabbed in Haflong(Anup Biswas)

Acting on a tip off, Haflong police nabbed two cadres of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) from Mahur, 35 KM from Haflong  on Monday. Following repeated interrogation of these cadres one AK Riffle, two magazine and 58 rounds of ammunition were recovered from one Lunjahao Lienthang of Numjang village under Mahur police station. Both the cadres identified as Thancha Khingsai, 27 of Changpijang under Mahur PS and Lansen Kuki, 25 of Mulkon under Maibang police station were brought to Haflong Police station for further interrogation. 

Dimaraji state cry grows shriller(Ttelegraph)

Silchar, Aug. 30: In a massive show of solidarity, thousands of Dimasa people, led by a conglomeration of 84 frontal organisations of the community, today took part in a rally at Haflong, demanding a separate Dimaraji state. The rally, which was held in the Town Committee field, was followed by a colourful procession through the main streets of the town (district headquarters) before culminating at the deputy commissioner’s office. Prafulla Hafila, the president of All Dimasa Students Union (ADSU), which had organised the programme, said a memorandum, addressed to Union home minister P. Chidambaram and chief minister Tarun Gogoi, was submitted to deputy commissioner Dilip Barthakur. A source in the Assam police’s special branch (intelligence) today estimated that about 6,000 persons had participated in the rally. While several shops in the town had downed shutters, not many people were present in the state and central government offices today because of the rally. Official sources in Haflong said there were no reports of any untoward incident during the programme. Earlier, addressing the sea of humanity, Hafila regretted that the Centre had not paid any heed to the preservation of the identity of the community through creation of a separate Dimaraji state. He warned that the Dimasa people would be compelled to add more teeth to their demand for a separate identity through more such demonstrations if the Centre and Assam government do not consider their demand for a separate state. Though the organisers had earlier estimated that nearly 20,000 people would take part in the rally, such a number was not reached owing to the lurking fear of trouble in the wake of a blast at Langthasa Bazaar in the town last night. One person was injured in the incident. Police said they are investigating the blast, which also damaged a few shops in the market. However, the needle of suspicion points to the Hill Tribal Force, a new militant outfit. The outfit is believed to have recruited Kuki, Hmar and Jeme Naga youths into its fold.

A powerful bomb exploded at a market place at Haflong town in DIMA HASAO district. (by Preeti)

In Assam, one person was injured and several shops were damaged when a powerful bomb planted bysuspected militants exploded at a market place at Haflong town in the DIMA HASAO district on Sunday evening. The injured person was rushed to Haflong Civil Hospital and is stated to be out of danger. The incident took place at around 7 in the evening. The entire market not teeming with people due to Sunday evening.The injured person has been identified as Panit Daulagapu.A massive search operation has been launched in the area to apprehend the culprits involved in the blast.
In another incident, two train drivers were kidnapped by suspected National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants in Sonitpur district on Sunday. The militants stopped the train in a remote jungle at gun-point when it was proceeding to Bhalukpung from Rangapara. Security forces have launched a massive joint operation in the jungle areas bordering Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to trace out the kidnapped train drivers.

Illusion still prevails over DHD peace talks

ll Dimasa Students Union, Dimasa Peoples Council and UPFA in a joint press conference in Guwahati have said that the media report goes on that the Dima Halem Daogah has given ultimatum to concede their demand of Dimaraji to the Government of India.

CJ: D N Singh

Sat, Aug 28, 2010 12:27:57 IST

WITH THE threat of Dima Halem Deogah (DHD) serving ultimatum upon the Government of India to concede to their demands before October 2, 2010, situation in the region seems to be going on the wrong track.

All Dimasa Students Union(ADSU), Dimasa Peoples Council (DPC) and UPFA in a joint press conference in Guwahati said that the media reports confirm that the Dima Halem Daogah (DHD) has given ultimatum to the Government of India to concede to their demand of Dimaraji. DHD had accepted the cease-fire agreement with the government in 2003, responding and respecting the public opinion to abjure violence and come to talks, so that they could isses could be resolved peacefully.

M K Phonglo, working president, DPC, S Kemprai, general secretary, DPC, R Hasnu, general secretary, ADSU and J R Muchahary, president, UPFA addressed the press conference and stated DHD should go for tripartite talks with the Centre and state governments.

Their main demand was the creation of Dimaraji for the safeguard and speedy development of the people living in the proposed Dimaraji, who also raised socio-economic grievances of the Dimasa people of Assam in their charter of demands.

Other democratic organisations like ADSU, DRDC, DMS, DKH etc; who were the frontal bodies, who launched movement for the creation of Dimaraji, a long democratic movement from 1991, even they welcomed the initiatives taken by the government and suspended temporarily their movement for the peaceful environment for talks.

However, they were disappointed over the ultimatum served by DHD, as no acceptable and fruitful solution of the issue came up even after seven years.

They further said that the facilitators and civil society bodies thought that this ultimatum and threat to pull out from peace process to go back to jungle, would jeopardise the whole peace process undertaken by the government not only for the DHD, but also would adversely impact and complicate the cease-fire with other militant groups of the North-east India.

They would lose faith in peace talks and may resort to the path of violence and subversive activities, which might polarise in due course of time. The peace loving democratic organisations strongly felt that the governments are not up to their expectation of executing their commitments and are just passing time without following the peace process seriously. They feel that the government instead of solving the problems is rather complicating the peace processes by delaying tactics and confusing more, which has resulted to this kind of threat from the militant groups on ceasefire agreement.

They further said that the government appointed P C Haldar as interlocutor to talk with DHD and other ceasefire militants groups of Assam and the Assam government even constituted Cabinet subcommittee under the chairmanship of Dr Bhumidhar Barman, to solve Dimaraji issue and other problems of Assam.

Several times, the discussions held for amicable and acceptable solution of the Dimaraji issue and other related problems and recommendations and suggestions were put forward, but no fruitful result came out.

They said that ‘the ball is now in government’s court’, whether the government would like to take the responsibility of pulling out of the peace process forcing DHD back to jungle or concede its demand for peace and prosperity of the proposed people of Dimaraji. They also appealed to DHD leadership to re-consider their stand in the best interest of the people living in the proposed Dimaraji.

Citizens’ appeal in Haflong(Anup Biswas)

Conscious citizen of the Diama Hasao district appealed to all the Political leaders, Intellectuals and bonafied citizens of the district not to allow any outside agent from any organization to interfere in  hills political affair and not to give chance to make this district their hunting ground for money making.

The district of Dima Hasao with the population of not even two lakhs has witnessed a series of changes in political affair with the interference of some outside agents who are still very much active to create chaotic condition so that their aims of making political leader a milch cow continue. Some senior citizens, under the condition of anonymity said that first, all the political leaders of this district in particular should change their mindset. They should not allow or encourage anyone, particularly the out side agents to play with the lives and future of the people of this district. As these people have made them public leaders, the leaders should also remember and give importance to the public voice or suggestion rather than listening the dictation of out side agent who always trying to make a distance with the local tribal people and their leaders for their narrow Gaines. It is not at all a hiding fact that some people, be it politicians, businessman, officials or intellectuals from out side had come with only one agenda i.e. to fool the simple and innocent people, of course by manipulating the local leaders. There fore it has become the need of hour for the people of this district in particular to be vigil and raise voice against such injustice by the out side agents and not allow them to interfere in any political affairs of the district.

26 groups stage protest in Delhi (TAT)

 NEW DELHI, Aug 26 – At least twenty six organisations led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) today staged a demonstration pressing for resumption of the update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), solution of the flood and erosion problem, inter-Stateboundary dispute and halt of the mega dam project works.

The organisations that participated in the demonstration included All Assam Tribal Sangha, All Assam Tribal Youth League, Mising Mimag Kebang, All Rabha Students’ Union, All Mising Students’ Union (T.M.P.K.), All Tiwa Students’ Union, Tiwa Yuva Chatra Parishad, All Tai Ahom

Students’ Union, All Dimasa Students’ Union, Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association, All Koch-Rajbanshi Students’ Union, All Assam Motok Yuva Chatra Sanmilan, All Assam Moran Students’ Union, All Assam Deori Students’ Union, Karbi Students’ Association (K.S.A.), All Adivashi Students’ Association, All Assam Chutia Students’ Union, All Assam Gurkha Students’ Union, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, All Assam Sarania Kachari Students’ Union, All Assam Modahi Students’ Union, Karbi Students’ Union (K.S.U.), N. C. Hills Indigenous Students’ Union and All Assam Karbi Students’ Union, among others.

Displaying banners and placards, demonstrators raised slogans high-lighting their demands. “Solve the inter-State boundary problems – restore our land, If Assam’s oil, gas, coal and tea are national assets, why not flood and erosion problems,” screamed the demonstrators.

The rally at Jantar Mantar was joined by several of the MPs and ex-MPs including Bijoy Chakravarty, Biren Baishya, Kumar Deepak Das, besides Sarbananda Sonowal, among others.

Addressing the demonstrators, AASU’s adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya said that Assam Government under pressure of vested interest stopped the process of updating the NRC in Barpeta district.

The Congress Party is ruling in Delhi, Dispur and Itanagar, then why can’t it resolve the inter-State boundary problem, he asked.

The rally was also addressed by Dr Ranoj Pegu, and the visiting MPs. The delegation is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister on Friday morning.

Spectre of ‘bloodbath’ looms in Dima Hasao (The sentinel news)

SILCHAR, Aug 25: Bloodbath might return in its ugliest form in Dima Hasao district, apprehended various leading Dimasa organizations. Representatives of All Dimasa Students’ Union and Dimasa People’s Council blamed both the State and Central Governments for the indifferent attitude towards the demands of the DHD (Jewel faction), the militant outfit which surrendered arms to the Chief Minister on October 2 last year following assurance from the Government that their long standing demands would be fulfilled within 100 days. But in reality, more than 300 days had passed, but the authority had virtually done nothing to keep its promise except appointing PC Haldar as the mediator. In this backdrop, the DHD (J) leader, who felt themselves betrayed, had sat on fast unto death and later set the coming October 2 as the ultimate deadline for fulfillment of their demands. On the other hand, pro-talk faction of DHD led Dilip Nunisa already threatened coming out seven years back. Nunisa said, the Government’s dilly-dallying tactic was compelling them to rethink over the so called peace dialogue. In the meantime, various non-Dimasa tribes had vehemently protested State Government’s decision to rename the erstwhile NC Hills as Dima Hasao district arguing that this had pushed the very existence of the non-Dimasa tribes to the danger of mere non entity. These non-Dimasa tribes had assembled themselves under the banner of Indigenous People’s Forum and already plunged into agitation demanding bifurcation of the Dima Hasao into two autonomous districts, one for the Dimasas and the other for the non-Dimasas. A non-Dimasa militant outfit called Hills Tiger Force (HTF) had already made its presence felt with a series of low intensity bomb blasts. HTF chief Kapiche Zeme Naga had threatened that they might target the railways to put pressure on the Government. In this backdrop, winter is coming. Winter is the season only when work for broad gauge could be done as there is no shower. If the chronology of bloodbath in the erstwhile NC Hills could be seen, it was found that DHD (J) used to strike during the winter. The reason was simple. Contractors returned to the work after the rainy seasons and the militants starts to threat them, extort money, kidnap employees and even kill them to set an atmosphere of terror so that the contractors were forced to cough up the bucks. Last year, the hills were by and large peaceful as the Jewel army had surrendered on October 2. Work for broad gauge could be proceeded smoothly. An NF Railway source said, till now 59.62 per cent of work had been completed. A railway contractor informed that, work was stalled now due to shower, and as soon as the winter arrives they would resume their work. But would they be able to?

Talks push to Dimaraji

Guwahati, Aug. 24: The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), Dimasa People’s Council (DPC) and United Peoples’ Federation of Assam (UPFA) today demanded that the Centre clear its stand on the 20-year-old issue of a Dimaraji state at an early date.

The demand has come close on the wheels of utter disappointment and frustration expressed by the Dilip Nunisa faction of the Dima Halam Daogah over the Centre’s failure to start a concrete dialogue on the issue during the past two decades.

The DHD (Dilip), a dominant militant group of Dima Hasao district, signed a ceasefire agreement with the central government in 2003.

The concept of a Dimaraji state envisages the amalgamation of the Dimasa-inhabited areas of Karbi Anglong, erstwhile North Cachar Hills, Cachar and Nagaon districts in Assam and the Dhansiri tract in Nagaland as a full-fledged separate state under the Indian Union.

At a joint media conference here, leaders of ADSU, DPC and UPFA said it would spell doom if the DHD (Dilip) returns to arms and goes back to the jungles in case Delhi does not agree to its principal demand for a Dimaraji state.

“We simply do not understand why the authorities in New Delhi have not been able to take any decision on the Dimaraji state demand which has been hanging fire since 1989. It is high time the Centre cleared its stand on the issue without further ado. The Centre must be transparent and say whether it is conceding the demand for Dimaraji or not. It has been learnt that the Centre was avoiding the issue during its earlier meetings with the DHD leadership,” UPFA president Jebra Ram Muchahary said.

He said even though the demand is now being considered by the Centre’s interlocutor P.C. Haldar, the UPFA, ADSU and DPC have found that Haldar is not involving himself fully to start talks with the outfit.

He said Haldar must understand the sentiments of the Dimasa people and do something on a war-footing to bring about permanent peace in the hill districts.

Muchahary said a massive rally would be organised at Haflong on August 30 to generate public opinion on the Dimaraji state and pressure the Centre to amicably solve the issue at an early date.

Sanmoni Kemprai, general secretary of DPC said the DHD (D) must continue to exercise restraint in the greater interest of the Dimasa community.

DHD (D) chairman Dilip Nunisa said it is unfortunate that the Centre has failed to reciprocate positively despite the militant outfit showing a great deal of enthusiasm and will for peace.

khana sang( DIMASA music video)

Haflong lake and Barail hill....

HAFLONG

ang ning ke

khajao sisi

Oh phaihi

oh ajang ning waimu danang

reblai purilai la

khaha ning dong la du

jing dimajik

Dongpa hi lang pa hi

baidima

Call for solution of Dimasa problem

GUWAHATI, Aug 24 – The Dimasa People’s Council (DPC), an umbrella organization of the Dimasa civil society organizations, has appealed to both the government and the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) to work towards the solution of the Dimasa problem, rather than aggravating it.
Expressing concern over the “ultimatum given by the DHD” regarding their demand of Dimaraji, the DPC members today alleged that the government, instead of solving the problems, is rather complicating the peace process by its ‘delaying tactics’ which create a confusing situation, which may ultimately instigate the militant outfits on ceasefire to return to violent means.

“We have learnt through media reports that the DHD has given October 2, 2010 as the ultimatum to concede their demand of Dimaraji to the Government of India. We are shocked to learn that the group would consider the option of going back to jungles, if it does not get a favourable response from the government,” said Sanmoni Kemprai, general secretary of the DPC, addressing a press meet here.

The DHD came into a cease-fire agreement with the government in 2003 and started the tripartite talks with the Union and State governments on their various demands including creation of ‘Dimaraji’ for safeguard and speedy development of the people living in the proposed Dimaraji area.

“We have also come to know that that the DHD strongly feels that the government has no clear-cut policy on the solution of the Dimasa problem and the outfit is disheartened as no fruitful and acceptable result has come up yet despite holding tripartite talks for seven long years,” he added.

Also criticizing PC Haldar for not taking seriously his role as interlocutor to talk with the DHD and other militant groups, the Dimasa organizations said that Haldar needs to get more involved with the peace process, without wasting much time in research and studies.

“We expect him to be more serious on the issue and he should also take into confidence the civil society bodies,” Mrinal Kanti Phonglo, working president of the DPC, mentioned.

“The civil society bodies think that this ultimatum and the threat to pull out from the peace process and go back to the jungles will jeopardize the whole peace process undertaken by the government with the DHD, and would also complicate the peace process with all other militant organizations of North East India,” he added.

Criticizing the State government for not taking interest in solving the militancy problem in the State, the DPC members said that the State government is just passing time in the name of peace talks.

The council members also appealed to the DHD leadership to reconsider their stand of quitting the peace process in the best interest of the people living in the proposed Dimaraji.

MAIBANG

HAFLONG VIEW

HAFLONG GOVT COLLEGE....

Dharna for release of DHD(J) leaders

GUWAHATI, Aug 20 – Demanding the release of Jewel Gorlosa, chairman of Dima Halam Daoga (DHD-J), Niranjan Hojai, commander-in-chief of DHD(J) and other members of the outfit in jail, the Autonomous State Demand Committee, Dimasa Students’ Union, Dimasa Women Society and Karbi Students’ Association staged dharna on Friday at Dispur Last Gate.
The other demands of the organizations include release of Mohet Hojai, former Chief Executive Member of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, expediting the peace process with DHD(J), and resolution of the political demands of Dima Hasao district

Jatinga fights tourism jinx(SARAT SARMA)

Nagaon, Aug. 21: Dima Hasao is hoping to solve its tourism jinx with the famed Jatinga puzzle.

The district is planning a Jatinga festival from October 28, hoping to lure tourists to the district with the promise of the “supernatural” bird suicide mystery. Every winter, thousands of migratory birds fly to Jatinga and caught in the crosswinds were believed to “commit suicide”.

Though ecologists stripped the phenomenon of its paranormal aura and explained how the clueless creatures simply get distracted by the bonfires lit by tribal villagers and fall into their ingenious trap, the district is doing everything to turn it into a tourism booster.

Jatinga had long been marketed as this awe-inspiring must-visit for tourists to Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) — with a bird-twist to the Bermuda Triangle story.

And the villagers did all they could to accentuate this “mystery”. They insisted that this “phenomenon” occurred only on moonless nights when the winds blew in a southwesterly direction and was followed by either dense fog or drizzle.

The administration now wants to throw in a few more attractions and turn the phenomenon into an event. The three-day festival will also have an exhibition showcasing traditional handicrafts and a cultural programme.

On its part, the administration is promising a “fear free” environment in a district scarred by insurgency.

“Since long our district hit the headline for wrong reasons. We want to establish that unlike militancy and Rs 1,000 crore scam we have a lot to establish our motherland before outsiders. We want to restore the district’s lost fame,” said organising committee general secretary Kulendra Daulogupu.

“Main problems include lack of security, lack of accommodation and bad communication. Tourists will stay with local people and will be able to enjoy traditional cuisine,” said organising committee chairman and local Jatinga council member Moril Massa.

Surrendered Dima Halom Daogah militants observe daylong hunger strike in Assam

Sat Aug 21 2010 18:48:39 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time) by ANI

Guwahati, Aug 21 (ANI): Surrendered militants of the Dima Halom Daogah outfit observed daylong hunger strike in Assam’s Cachar hills district on Friday in support of their leaders and seeking their early release.

Around 300 surrendered militants stayed without food at the designated camp at Jatinga village, accusing the government of backtracking on its promise to release their leaders.

One of the surrendered militants said the government had not kept its word though 100 days had passed since their surrender.

“Today we are on 24 hours’ hunger strike. We want our four chairmen, our chief of Dima Halom Daogah should be released and we came forward to surrender when government asked us to do so and also lay down the arms. And after that, we waited for 100 days, but still government didn’t satisfy our demands and till now our demands are not met,” said Naola Dimasa, a camp Commander.

Dimasa warned they would prolong their strike if the government did no relent.

“We are on hunger strike and after that if government will not think about it, we will extend our hunger strike for a week and again after that government will not satisfy our demand then all the cadres will move to the jungle,” he said.

DHD (J) chairman Jewel Garlosa, who was arrested by the state police, is in jail. (ANI)