NC Hills district renamed amid tribal protests

The Tarun Gogoi-led coalition government has renamed ethnically volatile and corruption-riddled North Cachar Hills district as Dima Hasao with immediate effect.

The Tarun Gogoi-led coalition government has renamed ethnically volatile and corruption-riddled North Cachar Hills district as Dima Hasao with immediate effect.

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This was announced through a late night communique. The renaming, under pressure from the majority Dimasa tribal people, came amid protests from other tribal groups such as Zemes, Kukis and Hmars who have been demanding tribe-specific councils within NC Hills.

Dimasa groups argue the new name would go a long way in countering the Naga claim on the hill district. Large swathes of NC Hills fall in the Greater Nagaland map of Naga militant outfits.