This was stated on December 13 in a press release by IPF Information and Publicity Secretary Zion L. Faihriem.
Faihriem stated that the IPF today, resolved to withdraw the proposed Bandh as it has received official confirmation letter for Talks/Meeting with the Govt. of Assam on 28th December, 2020 through the Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao disrict, Haflong.
The bandh was called demanding immediate Bifurcation of Dima Hasao, erstwhile N.C. Hills District with separate Autonomous Councils under the Provisions 1.(3)(c) & 2.(1) of articles 244(2) & 275(1) of the Sixth Schedule to the
Constitution of India.
Meanwhile, the All Apex Body Co ordination Committee (AABCC), Dimasa Mothers' Association (DMA) Dimasa Students' Union (DSU), All Dimasa Students' Union (ADSU) and others appeal the IPF to withdraw the bandh call.
The AABCC urges the IPF not to add the problems face by the general public due to COVID-19 pendamic by imposing 12 hours bandh.
Faihriem said that the Forum, in its Meeting on 3rd December last had resolved to call a 12 Hrs N.C.Hills Bandh on 14th December, 2020 as the Govt. of Assam had not been sincere enough to keep its words given by its Representative during the Talks of 17th February last that the next and Final Round of Talks would be held on the following 24th of February.
Since there was no news of fixing the date for the next Meeting/Talks from the Govt., it decided to call this 12Hrs. N.C.Hills Bandh as a means to send message to the Govt. of Assam about its grievances for the delay in settlement of its long pending genuine Demand. It is an earnest request of the Forum to the Govt. to make this ensuing Talks/Meeting to be the Final one for settlement of its Demand. If the Govt. fails to make the ensuing Talks/Meeting Final one, and settles its Demand, then, the Forum shall be compelled to go for an Indefinite N.C.Hills Bandh from 2nd week of Januaty, 2021 as it has been resolved in its Meeting on 3rd. December last, added the press release.
The IPF also said that it has been demanding for Bifurcation of the district with separate Autonomous Councils- one for the Dimasa and the other for the Indigenous non-Dimasa tribes soon after the forcible renaming of the district as Dima Hasao, thereby turning all the Indigenous tribals of the district into strangers in their ancestral land. The Task Force headed by Shri P.P. Varma, IAS, Chief Secretary(retd) of Assam, constituted by the Govt. of Assam to examine the Recommendations of the Group of Ministers Committee, had submitted its Report way back in 2011 with the Recommendations for setting up of a separate district and separate Autonomous District Councils for both the Dimasa and non-Dimasa groups of people. However, after the lapse of 9(nine) years from the submission of the Report, the Recommendations of the Report
are yet to be implemented.
The Forum had hailed the invitation of the Govt. of Assam for a Talks on its Demand on 17th February last.
The IPF said, "We were much delighted when it was declared from the Representative of the Govt. in the Talks of 17th February that the next and Final Round of Talks would be held on the following 24th of February. But, the Govt. of Assam has not been sincere enough in keeping its words, and the proposed Final Talks is yet to be held even after 10(Ten) months of its proposed schedule."
The IPF also said, "It is an earnest request of the Forum to the Govt. of Assam to kindly consider and initiate necessary step(s) for Bifurcation of the district with separate Autonomous Councils as per the above mentioned Provisions of the Constitution based on the Report of the Task Force without further delay. If the Govt. of Assam goes on neglecting our genuine Demand, we may be compelled to call an Indefinite N.C. Hills Bandh, and the Govt. shall be responsible for any untoward incidence that may befall because of its negligence in paying due consideration to our long pending grievances", added Faihriem.
0 Comments