Protest rally against 'inclusion' of Dima Hasao in proposed galim

Haflong, Jan 22: Against inclusion of Dima Hasao in the draft agreement of ga Accord published in print and electronic media on January 19, 2018 proposed by Jagadamba Mall, RSS leader, a mass gathering and protest rally was organized by Jadikhe isho Hosom, (JNH), All Dimasa Students’ Union, (ADSU), Dimasa Students’ Union (DSU), Dimasa Mothers’ Association (DMA) and Dimasa Women Society (DWS) on Monday.

Thousands of people from various parts of Dima Hasao and belonging to different communities gathered here at Town Committee field, Haflong, right from morning and took out a protest rally from there and marched through the major parts of Haflong town up to Synod Turning and up to Council Rotary and converged in front the office of the Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner.

They demanded immediate disclosure of the ga agreement and also condemned the statement of Jagadamba Mall which was published on January 19, 2018 by a section of media. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao. The protesters also burnt the effigy of Jagadamba Mall in the Town Committee field.  

Expressing resentment over Jagdamba Mall’s proposal to the Government of India, they stated that Dima Hasao dstrict, erstwhile North Cachar Hills district of Assam, was the ancient Dimasa kingdom before the annexation of Britishers in 1854 AD. At present it is the third largest district in Assam, with the total area of 1880.40 sq miles and population of 2,14,102.  It is the home of 13 tribes and six non-tribals sharing equal civil liberties harmoniously since time immemorial.

Presumably to hurt the sentiments of Dimasa people, who are still 99.9 per cent Hindu by religion, and the allied 17 communities of the district, Jagdamba Mall, veteran RSS Pracharak, sent a proposal to the Government of India for establishment of Separate Development Authority solely for the development of the gas.

The question of establishment of divisive cell proposed by Jagdamba Mall on commul line was unwanted in Dima Hasao district.  To develop the various communities of Dima Hasao, an institution has already been established known as N C Hills Autonomous Council, which governs under constitutiol provision of the Sixth Schedule. The present strength of constituencies in N C Hills Autonomous Council is 28, representing each and every community of Dima Hasao. Out of 28 MAC  constituencies, the gas enjoy the reserved privilege three MAC constituencies with an electorate strength of 3,709, 1,982 and 3,252 respectively, they said. Out of the three elected MACs, two MACs are Executive Members in the Executive Council of the NC Hills Autonomous Council holding major portfolios in the administrative department, besides the privilege of sharing the development funds for implementation of various development projects. Therefore, the protesters condemned the draft proposal of Jagadmba Mall for setting up Separate Development Authority in Dima Hasao on commul lines. They urged the authority concerned not to accept his proposal made for persol benefit.

“Dima Hasao district does not oppose the solution of the ga issue within the territory of galand. Rather people appreciated the Government of India’s sincerity towards early solution of the gas problem,” said the protesters. “While trying to solve the ga issue, it should not be at the cost of the peace-loving people of Dima Hasao district which may compel them to lose confidence on him and the tion,” they added.