GUWAHATI: Additional forces have been rushed to tense Dima Hasao district of Assam where the 48-hour bandh called by protesting Dimasa tribe organisations has paralysed life for second consecutive day. The bandh was called where Security reinforcements have been rushed against death of two people in police firing entered the second day today.
State Industry and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said here that three additional companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in Dima Hasao, to assist the existing forces in maintaining law and order.
On the difficulties faced by train passengers stranded at different parts of district since January 25, he said 30 buses have already reached the district to ferry the passengers to their destinations.
He added that the district administration had arranged for food and water and other basic amenities for the stranded passengers.
The minister further said some portions of railway tracks had been damaged by the protestors, while people squatted on tracks at different parts, leading to cancellation of all trains running through Dima Hasao district since Friday.
The bandh had been called against death of two persons in police firing on a group of people at Maibong railway station on January 25, who were protesting reports of inclusion of Dima Hasao in proposed ‘Nagalim’ in the peace agreement between the Centre and the NSCN(IM).
The bandh supporters have also demanded suspension of the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police of Dima Hasao, blaming them for the death of the two protestors.
The Government of Assam in a letter (HAD/AC/DH/01) dated January 26, 2018 addressed to the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council while expressing its regret over death of two persons in police firing reassured that ‘not a single inch of Assam would be allowed to be included in the so-called Nagalaim. Moreover, the government is also not going to create any autonomous council in the existing Dima Hasao Autonomous Council area or any such council by taking area of Dima Hasao or other districts of Assam.”
Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has also reassured the people of Dima Hasao that no land of Assam will be allowed to be included in proposed Nagalim and the geographical territory of the state will not be compromised at all.
The incident has turned the situation volatile in the hill district which has been gradually turning normal after the insurgent groups entered truce with Government of India. Sources said the simmering tension prevented common people from participating in celebration of Republic Day in the hill district.
Meanwhile, Jadike Naiso Hosom (JNH), the apex body of agitating Dimasa Tribe, has filed an FIR in Haflong Police Station in Dima Hasao against the police personnel involved in firing on ‘innocent civilian protestors at Maibang’ on January 25.