Dima Hasao Congress Leader Daniel Langthasa Appeals for Peace, End of “Hatred”

Guwahati, February 17, 2020:

Dima Hasao Congress leader Daniel Langthasa has appealed for peace and sought for an end to the hatred that has sprung up post the “indefinite bandh” called by the Indigenous People’s Front (IPF).

Langthasa, who is a satirist and is known for voicing his concerns regarding the state of affairs in the district he hails from, views that the “indefinite bandh” on February 11 had caused an upheaval in the otherwise serene Dima Hasao.

In a candid conversation with Inside Northeast, Langthasa shared his views on the rumored clashes between the Dimasas, constituting majority of the population and non-Dimasas.

“…Now young boys and girls, so much hatred has been seeped into them that the people think that now it has become a fight between the Dimasas and non-Dimasas. This is what the whole situation has turned into. Seeds of hatred has been sown,” said Daniel in the context of the ongoing spark in the otherwise quiet and serene district.

ALSO READ: Separate Bodoland Demand Indefinitely Suspended by ABSU, Confirms President Dipen Boro

It needs mention here that the Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF) consisting the non-Dimasa tribes had called for an “indefinite bandh” demanding immediate implementation of Dima Hasao’s bifurcation into two districts – one for the Dimasas and the other without Dimasas. They had also demanded for a separate autonomous council.

Daniel Langthasa, in view of the ongoing demands stressed on the fact that communal feelings have been flared up lately. Giving a chronology of events, Langthasa alleged that there is a bigger political conspiracy going on in order to destabilize the district.

“On 6^th Feb, the IPF had declared a bandh. The autonomous council and the administration did not announce that this bandh is constitutional and people have to attend their offices. The offices should remain open. No announcement was made. Some miscreants came in their bikes, they met the IPF picketers. Then all of a sudden, there was stone pelting. From which side it started, it is yet to be known. Police was there but no arrests have been made so far. No investigation was done,” informed Langthasa, adding that the incident led to the clashes on February 11, the first day of “indefinite Bandh”.

ALSO READ: “Assam Has Been Sold to Times Group,” Alleges Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary

According to him, the Superintendent of Police (SP) was also reluctant in investigating the matter. On February 11, public property was damaged and several people were injured. A meeting has been scheduled on February 17 between the IPF and the government.

Daniel says that all the stakeholders should be consulted regarding the bifurcation of Dima Hasao and not just the IPF. He drew the attention to the more serious concerns of the district such as nonpayment of salaries, lack of higher educational institutions, etc. instead of focusing on “politics” and fighting among each other.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.