DHD-N's demand for separate state of 'Dimaraji' as aspiration of all Dimasas
Source: Mithu Choudhury *

Imphal, November 23 2012: Just days after signing of the Accord paving the way for an Autonomous Territorial Council , the DHD-N has strongly affirmed their demand for a separate state of ' Dimaraji' as the ultimate aspiration of all Dimasas .

After signing the Accord, a huge public meeting was held at Haflong and it was significantly attended by many nonDimasa leaders and members of the nonDimasa community in celebration and support of the Accord with the Govt of India.

Members of the Hmar, Baite, Gorkha, Wrangkhwal, Zemi Naga amongst others congratulated both factions of the DHD for getting the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council.

However, some of the elders of the Dimasa community itself were candid enough to admit that although two leaders of the Dimasas, Dilip and Jewel, together signed the pact but the actual bonding was still missing between the two outfits.

No DHD-J member were present in the rally .

President of Jadioka Naiso Hosom , Jethang Naiding was also present and he said that he hoped this will augur a new future for the Dima Haso district and all its communities.

DHD-N Chairman, Dilip Nunisa

However, the cloud over IPF, the conglomerate of nonDimasa bodies opposing the Dimasa movement, hung on the meeting .

Dilip Nunisa himself tried to convince hard that though the district is named after the Dimasas due to the historical significance but the signing of the present Accord in getting the Council will provide equal opportunities and meet aspirations of all communities, nonDimasas alike.

He also time and again drew credit towards Jewel Garlosa and his long struggle and equal efforts to achieve the Territorial Council.

Significantly the meeting also proved that getting the Autonomous Council is not an end in itself .

Many of the participants still talked of the ultimate aspiration of a separate state and Dilip Nunisa himself openly endorsed it , saying, " We have just taken one step forward towards it." .

Next, on the invitatation of All Dimasa Students Union, All Cachar Students Association and All Cachar Hidimba Committee, DHD-N Chairman, Dilip Nunisa and C-in-C Pranab Nunisa attended a felicitation programme cum public rally at Khaspur near Silchar in the first week of November.Here toon front of a good gathering, Dilip Nunisa reiterated his demand for separate Dimaraji and to include the Dimasa majority areas of Cachar in it.

He asked the detractors and those opposing it '' to respect the rights and responsibilities of the rightful claimants." " We have the responsibility given by history to not only safeguard our rights but also to safeguard the rights and aspirations of all communities who fall under the area.

One shouldn't be dissapointed with getting the Territorial Council from the GOI.

It can be taken as 'one firm step towards fulfilment of our Dimaraji demand '.

Dimaraji remains our final goal.

Today the GOI is not in a position to grant it .

But tomorrow the situation will surely change and so we will keep up our fight /struggle for the same.

There is no question of being satisfied with just achieving the Territorial Council and sacrificing the demand for Dimaraji.", said Nunisa.

Dilip Nunisa, in one to one interview with this Correspondent at the DHD Liasion office in Haflong , said that the IPF claim that the Dimasas are pocketing all benefits in the district sidelining the Non-Dimasas, is baseless.

He said that the tribal Dimasas are as much deprived ands at the receiving end as any other community/tribe in the district.

He blamed the Council leaders as well as the State Govt for rampant corruption and gross under development in the district.

He said the IPF movement is actually a ''political conspiracy'' against the Dimasas.

" Why didn't the IPF leaders raise a single voice against corruption and 1000 crore scam.

They should blame the politicians and the bureaucrats for the state of affairs rather than wasting their energy pointing fingers to the Dimasas for all their troubles.

Nunisa said that he will see to it that the 200crore is spent well.

He talked of building a Dimasa Bhawan in Delhi and a helipad in Haflong as one of DHD-N 's immediate dream/plan.

'' The Accord talks of roads and bridges to be built in all villages and not only Dimasa areas.

Similarly all villages will be electrified." '' The Dimasa by majority and by their history are the leading community and the main tribe.

It is mandatory that the Dimasas look after and take care of all the non-Dimasa brothers who reside in the district.'', said Nunisa.

He again reiterated that the DHD-N hasn't given up its dream of realising a separate state of Dimaraji.

He said that 59 Dimasa organisations are still unified in purpose for the realisation of Dimaraji sometime in the future.

He also expressed his strong feeling against the Dimasas being called by different names in different areas outside the Dima Hasao district and said that they should all be binded by one Council and one name.

Jethang Naiding , President of Jadiko Naiso Hosom(JNH) talking with this Correspondent at his office launched a strong attack on IPF and ISF, particularly the ISF President Atheng Luiengthang .

" Atheng was himself in the Council.

He has his vested agenda.

Most of the ISF fellows are from outside .

They are only fomenting trouble here.

The regular bandh calls, rallies and dharnas is causing immense harassment to the public.", he said.

He accepted that the two DHD factions are still not close together even after signing the accord jointly but said that it will happen with time.

" In an arranged marriage , though the man and woman comes together on the wedding day but it takes time for the understanding to forge.", he said.

Like Dilip Nunisa he also advocated unification of all Dimasas.

" Socially the Dimasa Kacharis, Barman Kacharis, Hojai kacharis and the Kacharis are all the same and we all want to unite together.

Hence we cannot forgo the demand for Dimaraji that easily.

It was our suggestion to the State and the Central Govt that if Dimaraji cannot materialise now , we want some benefits in form of a development Council to protect our rights and culture.

We are happy that it has materilaised in the form of Dimasa Autonomous Territorial Council.", he said .

He accused the State Govt for anti tribal thinking and lamented corruption from top to bottom .

However, he said that in the present Accord it has the provision that the Central Govt, State Govt as well as the DTAC will monitor funds jointly to avoid any corrupt practises and siphoning.

But the non-Dimasa bodies of IPF and the ISF are far from satisfied with the present state of affairs.

The whole battery of IPF/ISF leaders congregated at President Atheng Leingthang's residence in Haflong anf they too had a meeting with this Correspondent .

The ISF President, L.Lima Keivom and the GS of IPF Gnaidam Purolte were present alongwith IPF representatives from Zemi, Hmar and Kuki communities.

Atheng Leingthang said that the rule in Dispur and Delhi is autocratic and the DTAC has been imposed against the wish of the non �Dimasas.

" We want separate autonomous Council for us after bifurcation of the district under 6th Schedule with one MLA seat.

Nothing else will satisfy us.

DTAC can never solve the problem.

'' , said Atheng .

He said that the nomenclature change to Dima Hasao was a meaningless joke and lambasted Dilip Nunisa to be an outsider from Nowgaon district of Assam who doesn't at all understands the sentiments of the people.

He accused both factions of the DHD of terrorising and intimidating the non-Dimasas and said that while Dimasa areas enjoyed better infrastructure the non �Dimasa areas/villages continue to be in pathetic state.

" Dilip and Jewel and their men move with AK's.We do not.

Our demand is also very much within the realm of the Constitution ...in the hand of the Governor....he can bifurcate the district.

"", said Atheng .

He said that the State Govt and the Central Govt have been giving false hopes and playing a game of volleyball with the non-Dimasas.

We know about the harassment to the people but have been compelled to give bandhs and strike call.

Even the police and the administration fails to take care of us and pays no heed when we are terrorised and intimidated by the Dimasa outfits.'', he said.

S.Jemi , President of the Jemi Naga Council recounted recent incidents within last one month when Nagas have been brutalised and tortured by the DHD factions.

" Even the very next day of signing of the Accord i.e on the 9th of this month, a Jemi Naga girl was tortured and harassed badly in heart of Haflong.", he complained.

The IPF leaders took a snipe at the Dimasas---saying that they themselves are undivided and fractured like anything...how will they possibly take care of the Non-Dimasas, that they so loftily preach, they asked.

The IPF and ISF leaders were also very appalled at the attitude of the local media who have almost boycotted them.

They finally said that they will continue their movement unless their demands are met.

After their recent press meet in Guwahati on 30/10, the IPF and the ISF has vowed to continue raising their voice to form a separate autonomous district with an autonomous council.

The undersigned had a one to one talk with GS , IPF and the resident of ISF.

Demanding to form the new autonomous district under the 3 (C) of articles 244 (2) and 275 (1) of the sixth schedule of the constitution of India, Ngaidam Puruolte, general secretary, Indigenous People Forum, talking to the undersigned, said that various tribes living in NC Hills are feeling very insecure at the belligerence of Dimasa people in that area, more so after the signing of the recent Accord with the DHD factions.

"We have been deprived of our rights in many ways including getting job, development etc in our own place.

Therefore, to maintain our survival, we demand separate autonomous district for the Non-Dimasa people living in the present Dima Hasao district", Puruolte said.

"We are being deprived of our rights repeatedly.In the year 1952 NC Hills autonomous council was formed with a view to bring about all-round development to the various backward hill tribal people of the NC hills.

In the inception, there was an agreement of having equal members belong to the Dimasa and non-Dimasa members in the council.

But, as the time passed, the Dimasa people tried to get hold of majority of the seats of the council.

At first, there were 6 Dimasa and 6 non-Dimasa members in the council.

But, in 1967 and 1978 changes were made and the number of the Dimasa members were increased from 6 to 15 and the number of non-Dimasa were increased from 6 to 8 only", said Puorolte.

L.Lima Keivam, President, NC Hills Indigenous Student's Forum said that at present there are 17 Dimasa and 11 Non-Dimasa members in the council although the Dimasas constitute only 35% against 65% Non-Dimasas as per the electoral roll published by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, NC Hills in 2008."Inviting some non-Dimasa people at the time of signing of the recent peace accord does not ensure our rights to be safeguarded.

The Dimasa leaders did not include us or any Non-Dimasa people during the process of signing of the accord", Keivom added.

"We have been demanding for bifurcation of the district, one for non Dimasa people and other for Dimasas.

We have already submitted the map to the Chief Minister, Home Department and other concerned departments", Ngaidam Puruolte said.

Puorolte said that they want Haflong, Umrangshu and Mahur for the Non-Dimasas.

However , both Puorolte and Keivom lamented the query they have to often face regarding any probable linkage of ISF and the IPF with the armed group HTF.

'' Many journalists asked us about the connection ...as to whether the HTF is our underground faction .

We are very much a democratic body and have nothing to do with any armed orgajnisation .

This notion has been intentionally floated as a conspiracy against us.

" said Puorolte.

Both Puorolte and Keivom also lamented the media apathy towards them .

" Even in Guwahati the response to our Press briefing was weak.....even many of the dailies who attended didn't care to carry the news.

We consider ourselves true Assamese and Indians at heart.

But it seems that you in the media think otherwise.

But we vow to keep up our democratic struggle against all odds'', Keivom said.

Talking to the local media in Haflong , this Correspondent could gather that they are really peeved at the ISF/IPF particularly by their past behavior with the media as also the repeated bandh and strike calls that has brought undue harassment to the people.

" We have stopped maintaining contact, covering them and giving any importance to them", said some of the leading local media persons.

As for the post Accord mood , one could gather from the local media as well as talking to a cross section of the local people that though there is hope in the air but people are circumspect about the good outcome and are not ready to jump to form a great positive opinion out of the whole process.

More than the IPF/ISF dissidence, the actual strong existing differences between the two factions of the DHD is more of a concern to the people , even though Dilip and Jewel faction jointly signed the Accord.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at sivaassam(at)gmail(dot)com .