DIMAPUR, Oct 2 NNN: Showing strong resentment over the imminent signing of an agreement by New Delhi with both the factions of Dima Halam Daoga (DHD), the Zeliangrong frontal organisations have announced today to call 24 hours bandh on October 4 in all “the Zeliangrong areas” of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
Zeliangrong Baudi,(Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN), All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AMN), Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB), Manipur and Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Manipur (ZSUM) have strong apprehension that New Delhi may declare Dima Hasao Territorial Council in the North Cachar Hills of Assam. The Zeliangrong frontal organisations feel that N.C Hills is confined by various tribes and not the Dimasas alone.
“We strongly oppose the government of India’s plan to declare “Dima Hasao Territorial Council” instead of North Cachar Hills district in order to appease the Dimasa militant groups. The government of India attempts to appease the single community’s demand whose population confines in limited areas and having less population than the other indigenous communities, is to suppress the Zeliangrong people and other indigenous communities living in the North Cachar Hills district politically,” the Zeliangrong organisations said. They also said that the move of New Delhi reflects Dimasa as majority and other communities as minorities. “But the government of India should seriously study the ground reality before taking any decision which may jeopardize the already volatile situation in the North Cachar district.
Any wrong decision if committed on the part of the Govt. of India would lead to total turmoil in the region.
The Zeliangrong people consider the plan as orchestration of Govt. of India to create communal disharmony amongst the different communities in the North Cachar Hill district. There are more than 120 Zeliangrong villages in Assam alone with more than 280 villages in Manipur and about 80 villages in Nagaland, therefore, the Govt. of India should first materialize and fulfill the assurance given to the Zeliangrong people under the Govt. of India letter Vide No.9/15/89-CD/CEN on 15/05/1990 for integration of Zeliangrong areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland before any accord or agreement or understanding is reached between the Govt. of India and Dimasa militant outfits. While opposing the Govt. of India’s plan, there will be 24 hours total bandh in all the Zeliangrong areas in N.C Hills district (Assam), in Tamenglong district (Manipur) and zeliangrong areas of Churachandpur and Senapati districts and Peren district of Nagaland on October 24,” the frontal Zeliangrong organisations announced.
These Zeliangrong bodies then pointed out that there is a long and legitimate demand of Zeliangrong people for integration of their land as such, the Govt. of India knowing well of the genuine demand had assured the Zeliangrong people for integration.
The Govt. of India’s assurance was given to the Zeliangrong people much prior to the formation and inception of Dimasa militant out demand,” they further stated.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bandh-in-zeliangrong-areas/
