Phukan Panel Submits Report on Hmar-Dimasa Clash

Panel moots implementation of ceasefire rules with DHD
Source: The Telegraph
Guwahati, Jan. 12: The Justice P.C. Phukan Commission of inquiry, which probed the ethnic clash between the Hmars and the Dimasas in the volatile North Cachar Hills and Cachar districts in 2003, has recommended that the ceasefire ground rules between the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and the government be properly implemented.

Over 50 people had lost their lives in the Hmar-Dimasa conflict.

The commission, however, laid special emphasis on rule 7 of the ceasefire ground rules that prohibits DHD cadres from moving around with arms or in uniforms.

The commission also recommended the government to continue its operations against the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) cadres.

The commission in its 75-page report has asked the NC Hills Autonomous Council to regulate sale of land to the non-indigenous communities. It also called for job reservations for the indigenous communities.

It warned that militants sneaked into Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts from Manipur and Mizoram and till the infiltration went unchecked, such conflicts would continue.

Dispur tabled the commission’s report in the Assembly today with an action taken report (ATR).

In the report, the government said six new police stations and four new outposts had been set up in Karbi Anglong district.

In North Cachar Hills district, four new police stations and eight new police outposts had been set up, it said.

The government is also “actively considering” taking a helicopter on long-term lease so that it could rush in additional forces to the remote districts, according to the report. For emergency use, the government was using a helicopter of the home ministry, the report said.

The kidnapping of three DHD cadres from P. Zoar on the border of NC Hills and Cachar districts on February 26, 2003, had triggered the clashes, the commission said.

It, however, added that social, economic and political aspects were also responsible for fuelling the riots.

“Then the massacre of 28 Dimasas in one single night on April 1, 2003, at Chakarcham and Meghnathal in Cachar district, the worst incident, turned the conflict between the two communities into full-blown communal clashes,” the commission said.