Assam: Security Personnel Deployed on Haflong Streets after Clashes amid 'Bandh'

Haflong, February 6, 2020:

A violent clash occurred in Haflong town, the administrative headquarters of Dima Hasao district in Assam earlier today, after a group of people confronted 'bandh' supporters.

A 12-hour 'bandh' had been called on February 6 by the Indigenous People Forum (IPF), a local organization. The stated reason was the "demand of immediate implementation of the task force report for creation of separate district with a separate Autonomous Council under the prevention of article of 244 (2) & 275 (1) of the sixth schedule to the constitution of India."

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However, things took a turn for the worse when 'bandh' supporters were confronted by a bunch of irate locals, and a scuffle broke out between the two factions. Later, the police and the district administration were summoned to bring the situation under control and the streets are currently being patrolled by policemen looking to quell the tense situation.

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Addressing the issue, a local told Inside Northeast, "The unrest began on April 1, 2010 when the name of the district changed from North Cachar Hills to Dima Hasao. The IPF, consisting of non-Dimasa tribes, prominently Hmars, has been agitating and demanding a separate district. They called for a bandh today, and later, some locals confronted them...."

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