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Centre, Assam sign peace deal with Dimasa rebel outfit; momentous day, says Shah
The deal with Dimasa National Liberation Army-Dimasa Peoples’ Supreme Council (DNLA/DPSC) was signed in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
GUWAHATI: A tripartite peace deal was signed at New Delhi on Thursday by the Centre, Assam government and representatives of a Dimasa rebel outfit from the northeastern state.
The deal with Dimasa National Liberation Army-Dimasa Peoples’ Supreme Council (DNLA/DPSC) was signed in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior officials.
“It’s a matter of happiness that DNLA/DPSC have decided to shun violence. Today 168 cadres of the group have joined the mainstream. This is a big step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous northeast,” said Shah.
He said that under the agreement, a Dimasa Welfare Council will be set up by Assam government to protect, preserve and promote a social, cultural, and linguistic identity to meet political, economic and educational aspirations and will ensure speedy and focused development of the Dimasa people residing outside the jurisdiction of the autonomous council.
“This agreement also provides for the appointment of a commission under Paragraph 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to examine the demand for inclusion of additional villages contiguous to North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) with the council,” Shah added.
The agreement mentions the steps to be taken by Centre and Assam government to rehabilitate the surrendered armed cadres of DNLA. A special development package of ₹500 crore each will also be provided by Centre and Assam government over a period of five years for the all-around development of NCHAC as well as Dimasa people living in other parts of the state.
“This deal will lead to peace among the Dimasa people and in the areas falling under Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam. DNLA cadres have deposited 43 arms prior to this deal and have resolved to return to the mainstream. From now officially there will be no tribal rebel groups left in Assam,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said at the event.
