Assam: Property Worth Lakhs Vandalized in Dima Hasao amid 'Bandh'

Haflong, February 11, 2020:

The “indefinite bandh” called by the Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF) has caused immense damage to property as well as persons on the first day of the shutdown in Dima Hasao.

According to latest reports, both supporters and opposers of the strike have vandalized several properties worth lakhs of rupees. “Bandh opposers vandalized several properties, including the office of the Indigenous Students’ Forum. Eight to ten supporters of the ISF were there, but they were not injured… In total, several lakhs worth of property has been damaged. Now, there are murmurs of the bandh being called off”, an Inside Northeast source informed us.

Bandh supporters have reportedly burned down the government vehicle, bearing no AS 08- 8413, of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Romen Das. The DFO was returning to his quarter from the North Cachar Autonomous Council office after attending the review meeting called by CEM.

ALSO READ: Dimasa Organisations Condemn “Indefinite Bandh” in Dima Hasao

Indigenous People Forum (IPF), Working president Samsuddin Jeme and Indigenous Student Forum president David Keivom were arrested by police. Vehicle and household vandalism of IPF president Samsuddin Jeme by bandh opposers has also been reported.

It may be mentioned here that amid the ongoing bandh called by the Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF) in Dima Hasao district, a clash occurred between police and bandh supporters which had left many injured.

The Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), a non-Dimasa community from Dima Hasao district of Assam, had announced an “indefinite bandh” from February 11 in demand of a separate Autonomous district with separate Autonomous Councils for the non-Dimasas in the district.

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