Dec. 4: Another clash of ethnic interests is brewing in this district, already riven by the Karbi-Dimasa conflict.

Accusing the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council of ignoring the welfare of the Zeme Naga community, the Zeme Council, Assam, has threatened to launch an agitation. The organisation recently handed a memorandum to Governor Ajai Singh, mentioning its demands and charging the district council with depriving the Zeme tribe of its rights.

The council demanded the governor’s intervention in finding permanent solutions to their problems. “Our major demand is the creation of two separate council constituencies in the district, covering Zeme-dominated Asalu in Mahur and Hejaichal in Laisong. This will increase the number of Zeme representatives in the district council. Our other demands include development of the Zeme-dominated areas with improved communication, electrification, drinking water and healthcare facilities,” Zeme Council general secretary H. Marshal Newme said.

The 23-member auton-omous council has three representatives of the Zemes, who are the second largest community in the hill district after the Dimasas. The district council recently proposed five additional constituencies for those communities that are still unrepresented in the autonomous administration.

A source in the district administration said the five council constituencies would be for the Dolong, Digar Kuki, Lower Kharthong, Semkhor and Hamre communities.

“In 1993, we had moved the delimitation committee, headed by K.R. Hojai, for two council constituencies. From then onwards, we have been pressing the authorities to fulfil our legitimate demands. The governor has promised to do his best to solve our problems,” Neime said. As many as 18 tribes of the Northeast inhabit the North Cachar Hills, bordering Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur. The Dimasas are the largest community, followed by the Zemes, Hmars, Kukis and Karbis. The minority tribes include the Hrangkhals, Beites, Mizos, Khasis and Manipuris.

“We support all the organisations of Assam who have been claiming that not a single inch of land of Assam should be included in the proposed Nagalim. But at the same time Dispur should realise the pitiable condition of the Zemes, who are an integral part of this state,” a Zeme leader said.

A Zeme student in Haflong town echoed him. “You won’t see a single health or educational institution in the border areas. Does it mean that the indigenous Zemes should live without education or tackle frequent epidemics with just herbs and roots of trees? Is it not a curse that more than 30 per cent of the population of the border areas have not even seen Haflong town because there is no road linking their villages to the headquarters?” he asked.

Elections to the autonomous council are slated for early next year.