Delhi Protest Rally on NC Hills, Assam

New Delhi, 25th March, 2010

PR by Delhi Joint Action Committee on NC Hills

DELHI JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE ON NC HILLS

PRESS RELEASE
(25th March, 2010)

The attempt to create a Dimasa homeland, "Dima Halili", "Dima Hasao Raji", in Assam's NC Hills has resulted in ethnic cleansing campaign by the Dimasa armed groups – Dima Halam Daogah (Nunisa) and Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) – since 2003. In no time it led to three major conflicts: Dimasa-Hmar conflict (2003), Dimasa-Karbi conflict (2005) and Dimasa-Zeme Naga conflict (2009) respectively. The three costly 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 constitute 57% of the population. After sowing the seed of fear and threat, the Dimasa armed groups, in collusion with their politicians, have been doggedly engaged in gross human rights violation, derailing the peace and development and hindering democratic functioning in NC Hills.

The two armed groups are currently under ceasefire. On September 9, 2009, the Government of Assam constituted a Group of Minister's (GoM) Committee to look into the issue of renaming of 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. The Committee also recommended Dimasa to be the "mother tongue" in "Dima Hasao District". After establishing that "Dimasa are the largest tribe", the Committee recommended that "appointment in government jobs as well as Council jobs within Dima Hasao District should reflect the population pattern. The Committee also recommended "Dima Hasao District" for thwarting the designs of NSCN for greater Nagalim. Our people are made to become sacrificial lamb in the communally hatched political design to serve narrow vested interest.

It is no surprise why the GoM Committee were persistently upholding the Dimasa cause. The corrupt handiwork of majority of the members of the Group of Minister's Committee has been made public. The collusion of the members of the Committee with the Dimasa armed groups in siphoning off Rs. 1000 Crore made for NC Hills has further proved that the Committee has already sold its integrity, fairness and justice to come under the dictate, terms, whims and fancy of the armed groups. All the while, the GoM Committee not only ignores the collective stand made by the leaders of different indigenous tribes, but also totally ignores the multi-ethnic character of NC Hills and is far from understanding the complexities of the hill district.

We shall ever stand united in upholding our democratic rights and dignity and the prospect of all that for all time to come. We shall not be silent in the face of great injustices that have been repeatedly inflicted upon us. In the collective interest of safeguarding and promoting our democratic and citizenship rights for all time to come, we demand:

1. Bifurcation of NC Hills into two districts, one for the Dimasa and another for all the indigenous tribes bearing the name NC Hills.

2. The Group of Minister's Committee be scrapped immediately and their recommendations be made null and void. The Government should never allow corrupt and biased politicians from taking part in any crucial decision making process.

3. 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.

4. Protect and safeguard the traditional land rights, culture, custom and tradition of the tribals of Assam's NC Hills.

On behalf of:
Delhi Joint Action Committee on NC Hills

Sd/-

(JAMES PUSING SANATE)
President
Hmar Students Association, Joint Headuqarters, Delhi

(L. LETKHOMANG HAOKIP)
President
Kuki Students' Organisation, Delhi

(WICHAMDINBO MATAINAMAI)
President
Zeliangrong Students Union, Delhi

Browse a photo Gallery this protest here.