Recently, the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) signed a Peace Agreement with the Assam government and the Union Government. Back in September 2021, the DNLA proclaimed a six-month unilateral ceasefire following an appeal from the chief minister.
The ceasefire, which has been extended since then, is part of an initiative to bring stability to the region under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DNLA, state and the Union Government.
Terms of the MoU Agreement
Under the conditions of this MoU, the DNLA will lay down its arms, abide by the Indian Constitution, and disband their armed organization. They would relinquish all camps held by DNLA cadres and reintegrate into mainstream society.
In total, 179 DNLA members are set to surrender their weapons. Both the central and state governments have pledged Rs 500 crore each towards developing the Dimasa tribal areas as a part of their commitment.
Establishment of Dimasa Welfare Council
To ensure the safeguarding and enhancement of the social, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Dimasa people, the Government of Assam will establish the Dimasa Welfare Council. This council aims to meet political, economic, and educational aspirations, ensuring speedy and focused development of Dimasas living outside the jurisdiction of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).
The NCHAC governs the Dimasa Tribal Region. The MoU also stipulates the appointment of a Commission to investigate the demand for the inclusion of additional villages contiguous to the NCHAC.
About the Dimasa National Liberation Army
The DNLA, established in April 2019, is an insurgent group operating in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts in Assam. The group demanded a sovereign territory for the Dimasa tribals and launched an armed insurgency to achieve its goal.
The DNLA aims to foster a sense of brotherhood among the Dimasas and regain the Dimasa Kingdom’s trust and faith.
The Historical Background of Dimasas
The Dimasas, also known as the Dimasa-Kacharis, are among the earliest known rulers and settlers of Assam, currently residing in various districts of Assam and parts of Nagaland.
Their ancestors believed to be descendents from the rulers of the ancient Kamarupa kingdom, ruled most parts of Assam’s southern bank of the Brahmaputra between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Militant History in the Dima Hasao Region
The hill districts of Assam, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, have had a history of demands for statehood, a trend that peaked in the mid-1990s. More recently, the militant Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF) was established in 1991 to promote the demand for a full-fledged state, ‘Dimaraji.’
This group surrendered in 1995, but led to the creation of infamously violent groups like the DHD and DHD-J, both of which eventually agreed to a ceasefire in 2012.
Previous Peace Developments in North East India
In attempts to mitigate persistently strained relations in the North East, there have been a series of peace developments including the Karbi Anglong Agreement in 2021, the Bodo Accord and Bru-Reang Agreement in 2020, and the NLFT-Tripura Agreement in 2019.
The signing of the peace agreement with the DNLA is a welcome step, but more comprehensive efforts may be needed to address the root causes that drive insurgencies in these regions.
