Haflong, 23 March 2023 : Thousands took part in a Mass Rally taken out at Haflong today, 23 March 2023 demanding immediate bifurcation of, what they still called NC Hills (now ‘Dima Hasao’) district into two Autonomous districts with two separate Autonomous Council. Organized by Indigenous People Forum (IPF) was participated by thousands of people.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao district at Haflong.
In the memorandum, IPF President L.Kuki, Workig President S.Jeme and General Secretary L.Hlima Keivom demands : (1). Setting up of a Boundary Demarcation Commission headed by a Retired Judge of a High Court or a Retired IAS Officer, as agreed upon during the Meeting of the IPF with the GoMC on 11th of September, 2022. (2). Not to involve the Dimasa leaders in the GoA-IPF Talks. (3). Revocation of the Notification of the NCHAC, Haflong for the PRCs Verification.(4). Creation of a Separate Assembly Constituency in the ensuing Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in Assam.
They said that during the Meeting of IPF with GoMC at Dispur on 11th of September, 2022, it was agreed for setting up of a Boundary Demarcation Commission headed by a Retd. Judge of a High Court or a Retd. IAS Officer. So, they demand to form Boundary Demarcation Commission without further loss of time giving due respect to the decision at the Meeting.
Secondly, they urges not to involve the Dimasa leaders in the GoA-IPF Talks. That the IPF Community are neither against the Freedom of the Dimasas nor jealous of their prosperity in the least. They rather asked the Govt. to grant the highest possible political status to the Dimasas provided that they, the Indigenous Hill Tribal People are not included within whatever Political status that may be granted to the Dimasas. On the other hand, the Dimasas are always against the least freedom of the Hill Tribal People. They are ambitious to put the Hill Tribal People always under their control, it added.
“ We are not demanding the land of the Dimasas like Maibang valley which they are claiming as their past kingdom. We are demanding our ancestral land; the hill region which was never under the control of the Dimasa king. “
It may be noted here of the fact that it is the Dimasas themselves who have claimed to be the sons of great river. We know that there is no big river(s) in our ancestral land of the Hill Areas of the North Cachar Hills District which, by a common sense, cannot be the habitation of the sons of great river. We have highlighted in detail the nature and attitude of the Dimasas towards the Indigenous Hill Tribal People in our preceeding Memoranda. By their very nature, the Dimasas are not conversant with the customs, cultures and habits of the Hill Tribals and hence, cannot maintain cordial co-existence with them. As such, it will be futile to expect any good thing for the Indigenous Hill Tribal People out of any Meeting where the Dimasas are allowed to have a say.
Therefore, not to involve the Dimasa leaders in any Talks between the Govt. of Assam and the IPF in the greater interest of justice.
3. Revocation of the Notification of the NCHAC, Haflong for the PRCs Verification:
They said that the Dimasa dominated N.C. Hills Autonomous Council, Haflong has issued a Notification for Verification of the Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) by the entire population of the forcibly renamed as Dima Hasao District which is nothing but a harassment to the general public. The Council authority has asked to submit the PRCs in original alongwith proof of enrollment in the Assembly Electoral Roll of 1970-71, pattas etc.
It is not a matter of joke for the far-flung villagers to come to Haflong for obtaining certified copy of Electoral roll which cannot be obtain in 1/2 days. It is next to impossible for the poor far off villagers who do not have relatives at Haflong where they can stay 1/2 days to come to Haflong to apply the certified copy of their electoral rolls as they need to stay at hotels which is beyond the affordability of the poor villagers.
Therefore, we earnestly pray you to kindly instruct the Council authority to revoke immediately such a nuisance Notification for Verification of the PRCs by the entire population of the district which is causing untold harassment to the general public.
4. Creation of a Separate Assembly Constituency in the ensuing Delimitation exercise of the Parliamentary and the Assembly Constituencies in the state of Assam:
They felt hard to survive under the tyranic regime of the Communal Dimasas which has compelled them to demand for a separate Autonomous District with a separate Autonomous Council under clause (c) of the sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 1 and the sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 2 of articles 244(2) & 275(1) of the sixth schedule to the constitution of India for the last thirteen years. Their Demand also has included creation of a separate Assembly Constituency against the proposed map for their district. As such, in the greater interest of upholding, equality of opportunity as enshrined in the Preamble to the noble Constitution of India, they prayed to create a Separate Assembly Constituency against the proposed map for the Separate District in the ensuing Delimitaion exercise of the Parliamentary and the Assembly Constituencies in Assam.
Lastly, they pray to take necessary step(s) and fix the date for a tangible initiative towards materialisation of their long pending genuine Demand within 10th of April, 2023, if not they shall be compelled to call Indefinite N.C. Hills Bandh.
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