Exclude Dimapur from Nagaland, demands DHD (Dilip) faction

GUWAHATI, Dec 23 — The Dilip Nunisa-led faction of the Dima Halam Daoga (DHD) has demanded the exclusion of Dimapur from Nagaland, claiming that the commercial town was ceded to the hill state for only 25 years from the time of its creation. According to a leaflect circulated by the militants outfit, which is fighting for ‘Dimaraji’, or self-rule for the Dimasa people within the India state, Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland, was only ‘temporarily’ included in the then Naga Hills district under the Sixth Schedule. DHD says that in 1949, during the framing of the Sixth Schedule, Kuladhar Chaliha, a member of the Constituent Assembly, had vehemently opposed the inclusion of Dimapur in the hill district. The outfit also quoted Dr BR Ambedkar as saying that the inclusion of the mouza of Dimapur in the Naga Hills district was for the convenience of the Naga hills tribes. DHD claims that the temporary inclusion of Dimapur in the state of Nagaland is clear from the statement of Jawaharlal Nehru who, it says, told the Naga leaders that Dimapur would be excluded from that state within 25 years and so alternative arrangements of a town should be made elsewhere. DHD also claims that in 1971, the Sundaram Committee appointed by the Centre to ascertain facts regarding the Assam-Nagaland boundary problem, has stated in its report that Dimapur should be returned to Assam. According to the sources here the DHD leadership is critical of the Assam government for failing to take up the issue of Dimapur’s return. DHD’s professed ‘Dimaraji’ comprises parts of Assam’s North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Cachar and Nagaon district along with territories in Nagaland. The DHD demand may snowball into a major issue as it is in direct conflict with the NSCN-IM’s demand for greater Nagalim. It may be mentioned here that the Dilip Numisa faction of the DHD is ready for talks with the government provided its demand for the restoration of the social, political, economic and cultural rights of the Dimasa-Kachari people are met, the sources said. The other, more hardline, faction of DHD is led by Jewel Gorlosa who is believed to be quite close to the NSCN-IM. The Nunisa faction denies that there is any division within the DHD ranks.

Meanwhile, sources here also inform that the hardline faction of the United People’s democratic Solidarity (UPDS), People’s National Resistance (KPNER) to carry forward the ‘struggle’ for ‘hemprek kangthim’ of self rule. The faction is led by HE Kathtar and is sharply critical of the Harensing Bey-led faction that is already participating in alks with the government, the sources said.