Tripartite MoS Among Central Government, Govt. of Assam and Factions of DIMA Halam Daogah

A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with both factions of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) was signed today at New Delhi by Shri Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (NE), MHA, Shri Sailesh, Principal Secretary, Home & Political, Govt. of Assam and the Representatives of DHD(J) and DHD(N).

The MoS was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Chief Minister of Assam Shri Tarun Gogoi, Union Home Secretary Shri R.K. Singh, Chief Secretary of Assam Shri N.K. Das, DGP of Assam Shri J.N. Choudhuri, Interlocutor Shri P.C. Haldar, ADG (SB) Shri Khagen Sarma and other Senior Officials of Central and State Government.

After realizing the futility of violence, both the factions of DHD came forward and expressed their willingness to give up violence and seek solutions to its problems peacefully within the framework of the Constitution. The MoS provides for enhanced autonomy for the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam and also a special package for speedier socio-economic and educational development of the area for which the Council has been set up.

Under the Memorandum of Settlement, 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.

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).

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 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.

The economic package of Rs. 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.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.