GUWAHATI, April 23 — The procastination on part of Government of India to hold talks with Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and United People’s Democratic Solidary (UPDS) which are in ceasefire with Government forces, has raised concern in the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts of the State. Sources in the hill districts informed that public peace in those areas are in danger with armed cadres of DHD and UPDS moving around in the open instead of remaining within their peacetime designated camps as per rules governing the ceasefire. Involvement of DHD cadres in the recent ethnic clashes in NC Hills areas where Dimasaas were out to wipe out the minority Hmar communities in worst ever ethnic flare-up in the hill district, is construed to be an ominous development.
With the ceasefire is in place, the security forces and the police are restrained to deal with the armed cadres of these insurgent outfits unless there is specific complaint against them for breaking the law. Taking advantage of the situation, extortion from the common people in both the hills districts by these ultras continue unabated as no one will dare to lodge a complaint against these gun-toting ultras who have come overground.
The opposition Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) accuses that the ruling Congress in both district councils at North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong of playing a damaging role aimed at dividing the tribal groups in the hills for narrow political mileage. The ASDC general secretary Chomang Kro who is one of the members of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), alleged that the Congress was out to divide the tribal groups in the two hill districts to retain power in the district councils. His argument is if the tribal groups are divided it will be easier for the Congress to come back to power as the opposition ASDC’s strength lies in unity of all tribal groups. The ASDC leader observes that growing involvement of the DHD and UPDS who are in ceasefire with Centre, in the tribal politics of the two hill districts may lead to disaster.