Haflong, June 11: Former deputy commander-in-chief of the DHD (J), Debolal Gorlosa, alias Daniel Dimasa, today became the chief executive member (CEM) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council.
He was elected during a special session held at the council session hall. Gorlosa is the 23rd CEM of the autonomous council and became the third former militant leader to head an autonomous council after Bodoland Territorial Council CEM Hagrama Mohilary and former commander-in-chief of the DHD (J), Niranjan Hojai.
Gorlosa told reporters that his immediate priority would be payment of salaries to the council's employees. "Development of the district is a prime concern," he added.
Gorlosa was elected as CEM candidate yesterday during a parliamentary meeting held at Hotel Landmark, Haflong, in the presence of Himanta Biswa Sarma, a senior BJP leader and cabinet minister of Assam. Gorlosa filed his nomination yesterday to contest the CEM's post which was vacant after Debojeet Thaosen of the Congress resigned on Thursday, before the floor test.
Gorlosa was declared elected unopposed by pro tem chairman of the council Suanthangjem Hrangkhol this morning.
Of the 30 members (28 elected and two nominated) 27, including the chairman, were present at the special session today. Former council chiefs Debojeet Thaosen and Niranjan Hojai were also present during the session.
Gorlosa had won autonomous council elections from Dihangi and Hamri autonomous council constituencies. However, he later left Hamri and represented Dihangi, first as an Independent in 2013 and then as a BJP member in 2014.
Gorlosa's selection as a council chief has evoked mixed reactions among the people of Dima Hasao. Daniel Langthasa, son of former Congress leader and executive member of the council Nindu Langthasa, lambasted Himanta Biswa Sarma for supporting his father's "murderer" as the council chief.
Suspected DHD (J) cadres are said to have assassinated three Congress leaders - former CEM Purnendu Langthasa, former executive member Nindu Langthasa and former deputy chairman of the council Ajit Bodo on June 4 , 2007.
