A DHD-J cadre at the surrender ceremony on October 2, 2009. File picture

Guwahati, May 19: The Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) has accused the Centre of bias in handling different militant groups.

It has also called a 24-hour Dima Hasao bandh from 5am tomorrow in protest against the killing of one of its commanders, Maurung Dimasa.

In a letter to Union home minister P. Chidambaram dated May 20, a copy of which was released in advance to the media today, the DHD (J) alleged that the government was using a different yardstick when it came to Ulfa.

“It is now quite evident that the policy of the government towards the DHD (J) in particular and the Dimasas in general is biased. The voices from the corridors of power had time and again reiterated that no talks would be held without prior surrendering of arms but it can be seen that the government is using a different yardstick in handling Ulfa,” the letter, signed by P. Dimasa, the deputy chairman of the outfit, stated.

The outfit said it was even more “perplexing” that the government was releasing Ulfa leaders who had not even signed a bilateral ceasefire agreement while DHD (J) leaders such as chairman Jewel Gorlosa and commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai have been languishing in jail for nearly two years.

“Moreover, the demands of the DHD (J) are all within the Constitution and have nothing to do with sovereignty,” the letter added.

The DHD (J) sought the home minister’s intervention in releasing its “beleaguered” leaders and expediting the peace process.

The DHD (J)’s accusation comes on the heels of the pro-talks National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) resenting the Centre’s “softness” towards Ulfa and demanding a clarification from Chidambaram on why the outfit was being treated with kid gloves.

The NDFB (P) was equally scathing in its criticism of Dispur over the issue, saying it was “chauvinistic” and cared for those only those who were “Assamese”.

In its letter, the DHD (J) has also demanded a probe into the murder of Maurung earlier this week and a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for his family.

Maurung had gone missing on May 15 while on a visit to a designated camp. His body was recovered on May 17.

“The DHD is of the opinion that secret killers are on the loose and are being instigated by antisocial elements who do not wish peace to come in our region,” the letter stated.