/ 0
MoS with DHD
With a hope for restoring lasting peace and ushering in an era of economic and social development in Dima Hasao (erstwhile North Cachar Hills) district in Assam, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed on October 8, 2012 between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and both the factions of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), a Dimasa Tribe militant outfit, at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi.
As per the MoS a special economic package of Rs 200 crore (Rs 40 crore per annum) over and above the Plan fund over the next five years will be provided to the DHATC to undertake special projects by the Council. The economic package will benefit all communities including the non-Dimasa tribals.
As part of the restructuring and empowerment process, the existing North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council will be renamed as the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council.
Following the MoS, the DHD shall dissolve itself as an organisation within a reasonable time (six months) as a precursor to the Government initiating further process to implement the agreed decisions of this agreement.
Thirty-nine subjects will be transferred to the council under Para 3A of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution conferring legislative powers.
The MoS was signed by Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (North East), MHA, Sailesh, Principal Secretary, Home & Political, Government of Assam and both the leaders of the DHD factions vis-a-vis DHD(N) and DHD (J) Dilip Nunisa and Jewel Garlosa respectively in the presence of Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, Union Home Secretary R K Singh, Chief secretary N K Das, DGP of Assam, J.N Choudhuri, Centre’s Peace interlocutor P.C. Haldar, ADG (SB) of Assam Police Khagen Sarma and other senior officials of Central and State Government.
Shinde said a special package has been given for speedy economic development of Dima Hasao district. He said that the signing of MoS by militant outfits of a small district would give out a message to other outfits that the only way to progress and prosperity is through the process of dialogue.
“The doors for negotiations are always open. I urge upon all the militant outfits to give up armed struggle and to resolve their problems through the peace process,” he said.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said “Most of the militant outfits have realised the futility of violence and have come forward to settle their demands through democratic process. It augurs well for the State in particular and the country in general.”
He said it is through economic development the problems of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment could be solved. “Many social and economic problems confronting us can be solved by ensuring economic development,” he said.
Gogoi appreciated the assurance given by leaders of both the factions to protect and safeguard the non-Dimasa communities in Dima Hasao and to ensure their rights.
Interlocutor PC Haldar said though there were reservations on both the sides initially, they finally agreed to join the Government’s endeavour in finding a way out leading to the inking of the MoS today. “The signing of MoS will bring fruits of development to the Dima Hasao district in the coming days,” he added.
Hailing the signing of MoS as historic, the leaders of both the factions Dilip Nunisa and Jewel Garlosa appreciated the efforts of Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and interlocutor PC Haldar for ironing out the differences on the contentious issues leading to the signing of the MoS. They requested the Central and State Governments for implementation of the MoS within a set timeframe and to start the process of rehabilitation of the affected families.
As the dissolution of the DHD factions looks imminent after the signing of the MoS, the leaders of both the factions are thinking in the line of political outfits. ‘Commanders in chief’ of both the factions of the DHD, Pronob Nunisa (DHD-N) and Niranjan Hojai (DHD-J) stated that the cadres of DHD factions would have to be rehabilitated and political outfits would be formed soon.
|
MoS highlights Ø Ø Signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with both factions of DHD marks the culmination of the peace overtures of the Government and it is expected that DHD (J) and DHD (N) shall join the peaceful democratic and political process as established by the law which will usher in a new era of hope and prosperity in Dima Hasao District. Ø A Committee, as envisaged in the Art.371B of the Constitution, in the Assam Legislative Assembly will be constituted to deal with the matters relating to the 6th Schedule Councils. Ø The DHD shall dissolve itself as an organization within a reasonable time (six months) upon the signing of this Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) as a precursor to the Government initiating further process to implement the agreed decisions of this agreement. Ø As part of the restructuring and empowerment process, the existing North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) will be renamed as the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC). Ø The State Government has agreed to reorganise the existing Autonomous district under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution into 3 (three) Administrative units for better administrative and developmental administration, as per procedure established by law. Ø Increasing the number of members of the restructured council is agreed in principle. Ø 39 subjects will be transferred to the Council under Para 3A of the 6th schedule of the Constitution conferring legislative powers. Ø A special economic package of `200 Crore (`40 crore per annum) over and above the Plan fund over the next five years will be provided to the DHATC to undertake special projects by the Council Ø The State Government of Assam has agreed in principle to set up a Development Council with a suitable package for preservation and promotion of culture, language, etc. of people belonging to tribes like Hojai and Barman, etc. (to be decided by the State Government) living outside the present Dima Hasao District. Ø Benefits accruing to Non-Dimasa tribals: The economic package of `200 crores will benefit all communities including the non-tribals. The increase in the strength of the territorial council will ensure suitable representation to all communities. Besides, the provision for setting up village level councils for devolution of powers to the grass roots will benefit the Non-Dimasa tribals as much as the Dimasa tribals. The MoS specifically states that the heritage sites of Non-Dimasa indigenous tribals are to be preserved and maintained. DHD BCACKGROUND # # The DHD split on June 24, 2004: Pronob Nunisa, ‘commander-in-chief’ of Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF) took over the reins of DHD by engineering ouster of the outfit’s president Jewel Garlosa on charge of anti-DHD activity. That led to split of the DHD into :
The Journey towards the MoS * New Delhi and DHD leadership signed truce pact on January 1, 2003. * A DHD delegation led by Dilip Nunisa submitted memorandum to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on September 23, 2004 demanding a separate homeland for Dimasa tribals. * DHD (Nunisa) leaders told Centre’s representative on January 20, 2005 that no solution short of a separate ‘Dimaraji’ state would be acceptable. * On June 23, 2004, Dilip Nunisa said that the outfit was ready to compromise on its demand for integration of Dimasa-inhabited areas of Assam and Nagaland if the Centre granted ‘Dimaraji’. * On January 31, 2008 a DHD(N) team led by Nunisa called on Shivraj Patil and renewed demand for ‘Dimaraji’ * June 3, 2009 : Assam police arrested Jewel Garlosa from Bangalore. * July 3, 2012 :NIA arrested Niranjan Hojai from Near India-Nepal border in Bihar. * September 23, 2011: DHD(N) decided to scale down from its ‘Dimaraji’ demand and agree for a territorial council with proposed boundary including parts of Nagaon, Cachar, Karbi Anglong districts of Assam and Dimapur of Nagaland. * October 14, 2011: Both DHD factions held back-to-back negotiation with Delhi for the first time. New Delhi asked the factions to iron out differences between them. * December 17, 2011 : Joint Secretary (Northeast) of the Union Home Ministry, Sambhu Singh, said agreement with DHD(J) almost decided upon. * May 21, 2012 : DHD (n) leaders meet Sambhu Singh and discussed terms and conditions of the draft agreement. * June 11, 2012: Delhi signed draft MoS with DHD (N). * September 27-28, 2012: Final round of talks held among DHD (N), Centre and Assam Government. * October 8, 2012: DHD(N) and DHD (J) signed MoS with Centre and Assam Government. A Correspondent |
Several rounds of tripartite discussions were held with the representatives of DHD as part of the peace initiative taken by the Government. As a result of this consultative process, it has been agreed to initiate time bound steps to bring about greater devolution of power to grass root level in Dima Hasao district, while ensuring increased capacity building for developmental activities at all levels.
Formed in 1996. The ‘commander-in-chief’ of the erstwhile Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF), floated Dim Halam Daogah (DHD) in wake of en masse surrender of the rank and file of DNSF, barring him, in 1995.