Surrendered DHD-J rebels at Sontilla. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Sept. 18: The Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) has sought a camp at Mahur in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district to deny any edge to Naga militant organisations in the wake of the Dimasa outfit laying down arms.

The DHD (J) feels that Naga outfits would try to expand their area of influence in the district, taking advantage of the ceasefire by Dimasa outfits. The DHD (Nunisa) is already under a ceasefire since 2003 and cadres of the Jewel faction laid down arms this week.

The Isak-Muivah faction of the NSCN has been demanding integration of the Naga-inhabited areas of NC Hills, contiguous to Nagaland, in its proposed Naga homeland. Mahur is one such stretch. The Nunisa faction already has a camp in another Naga-populated area of Maibong.

The 373 DHD (J) militants who came overground on Sunday and Monday are now housed in two camps at Jatinga and Kapucherra. The non-Dimasa population in Jatinga is objecting to the camp, fearing that it would give an upper hand to the Dimasas in the area although it cited a “sense of insecurity” as its reason.

The positioning of the camps assume significance as militant groups in the district have been known to fuel ethnic conflicts.

Sources today said the DHD (J), while seeking a camp at Mahur, pointed out to Dispur that the Naga militant outfit, which has a strong presence in the Naga-dominated areas, might target Dimasa villages in these areas.

A source said, “No decision has been taken... we will have to see. Besides, there are security forces to deal with such matters. We cannot allow two militant groups to slug it out between themselves.”

However, a senior police official said even the security forces in the district apprehend that militant groups from outside might try to fill in the vacuum created by the laying down of arms by both factions of the DHD.

Apart from the NSCN, the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front and the Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic) might try to increase their influence, particularly to take over the lucrative “extortion business”.

These outfits may also try to provoke the non-Dimasas, pointing at the DHD (J)’s demand for the change of nomenclature of the district, the official said. Renaming of the district to Dima Hasao Raji (Dimasa homeland) is one of the key demands of the DHD (J). Two organisations representing the Dimasa and non-Dimasa communities today discussed this demand with a cabinet sub-committee here.

Control over the NC Hills is also important for militant organisations because of the district’s strategic location. It provides an entry route to Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya, apart from Cachar and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam.

The official said security forces would continue to maintain their presence in the district.