In a historic development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with both the factions of Dima halam Daogah (DHD), an erstwhile extremist group of Assam and Nagaland. The group which had surrendered in 2009 was in talks with the Centre demanding a separate state for the Dimasa tribe, concentrated in north Cachar hills of Assam and parts of Dimapur in Nagaland.
The MoS was signed by Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (NE), Principal Secretary of Assam and representatives of both factions of DHD in the presence of Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
“Under the MoS, a Committee will be constituted to deal with the matters relating to the 6th Schedule Councils. The DHD shall dissolve itself as an organization within a reasonable time as a precursor to the Government initiating further process to implement the agreed decisions of this agreement,” a MHA statement said.
As part of the restruction and empowerment process, the existing North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) will be renamed as the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC). The Centre has also agreed to provide a special economic package of `200 crore as a plan fund in the next five years to the DHATC to undertake special projects by the council for development of the region. The Assam Government will set up a development council for preservation and promotion of culture and language of the Dimasa tribe. The budget for such activities will be borne by the state government.
“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,” the MHA said.
As per the agreement, setting up of village level councils will help both Dimasa and non-Dimasa tribals. The agreement clearly states that the heritage sites of Non-Dimasa indigenous tribals are to be preserved and maintained by the autonomous territorial council.