Haflong, Oct. 2: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today took upon himself to ensure the progress of North Cachar Hills district with the announcement of Rs 50 crore financial assistance and promise of more as cadres of the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) formally surrendered arms here this morning.
DHD (J) commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai also signalled his commitment to peace by declaring at the surrender ceremony — said to be the biggest ever in the Northeast — that he would co-operate with the administration to ensure the timely completion of the twin national projects of the East West Corridor and railway gauge conversion.
A pink rose and a grey risa (Dimasa gamocha) for an M16 rifle was how the formal farewell to arms by the DHD (J) cadres began here. The rose and the risa were given to 386 cadres of the outfit amid warm applause from the crowd. Thousands had turned out at the ceremony braving humid conditions and hoping, like the administration and the rebels, that the district’s violent past was now history.
Organised on a day observed to perpetuate the ideals of the father of the nation, it was only fitting that Gogoi and Hojai not only paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi but also prayed that his non-violent ways now gain currency.
The function was graced by, among others, Union home ministry official Naveen Verma, director-general of police Shankar Barua, chief secretary P.C. Sharma, additional DGP Khagen Sarma, Diphu MP Biren Singh Engti and state minister Khor Sing Engti.
With today’s surrender, 416 Jewel cadres have come overground so far. The cadres today deposited 148 arms and a huge quantity of ammunition.
“This is a memorable moment. Bahut accha laga (I feel very happy),” Hojai told reporters at the venue.
Accompanied by his deputy Daniel Dimasa, he reached the venue a couple of minutes before the chief minister. Dressed in battle fatigues, Hojai was the first to lay down arms (an M16) before Gogoi and later shook hands with him. He was followed by his deputy and other senior cadres, including Maurang Dimasa and David Dimasa.
Chairman Jewel Gorlosa, who was arrested in June, is in judicial custody.
Gogoi, in his 10-minute speech in Hindi, said all possible steps would be taken for the district’s development and a special economic package was being worked out. “This seems to be the most backward district in Assam and we are going to make it the most developed district. I take upon myself the responsibility to develop the district. I am announcing Rs 50 crore towards its development and promise to get more from the Centre if we have peace.”
Gogoi said he would float two police battalions for the surrendered rebels.
He said he had confidence in Hojai and his team. “I hope all their genuine demands could be fulfilled through talks since everything is within the constitutional framework. I am very relieved today. I have never felt this way before,” he added.
Hojai started his speech in English but resorted to speaking in Dimasa towards the end. “Responding to requests from NGOs and social organisations of NC Hills and obeying the guidelines set by the Centre, we laid down arms. Now we hope both New Delhi and Dispur will seriously consider fulfilling our legitimate demands within a short timeframe,” he said.
“We have given 100 days to the government to respond to our demands or else we will retreat into the jungles,” Daniel Dimasa said.
The DHD (J) had submitted an eight-point charter of demands on March 24. Its demands include an autonomous “state within state” for NC Hills under Article 244 (A) of the Constitution, changing of the district’s name to Dima Hasao Raji, general amnesty to all its cadres, unconditional release of its cadres who were in custody, a separate parliamentary constituency comprising NC Hills and a special economic package for the development of the Dimasa-dominated region.
“All violence should end as it has paralysed life in the district for the past two years. Today we can hope for a peaceful future,” said Ashok Langthasa of Gunjung village.
