Dimasa Students' Union condemns abolition of 'Hills Areas Department' in Assam

HAFLONG: The Dimasa Students' Union (DSU) has condemned the abolition of the Hills Area Department and its replacement with the Sixth Schedule Area Department by the Government of Assam. The decision was recently announced in the ongoing Assam Assembly session.

Pramith Sengyung, President of the DSU said, "We totally oppose the decision which was taken by the government of Assam. The Hills Area Department was formed for the hill area development and for the constitutional safeguarding of tribal hills peoples. Among the five MLA of the three hills districts of Assam only one get Ministry with the subject of Hills Area Development (HAD), which is not acceptable."

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He also said if it is included with sixth schedule areas like BTR and other areas, it will be unfortunate, as the populations in the hill districts are "backward" compared to the BTR area.

"There is no comparision between the two areas. And it certainly should not be combined. We have no objection to the development of Bodos. However, the Karbis, Dimasas and other tribes should not be given step motherly treatment as well," he said.

"I request the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonwal and the Finance Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sharma and also appeal the HAD Minister of Assam Som Ronghang to oppose the decision which was taken in recent assembly session and reconsider the decision. Otherwise, all the organizations of three hills districts will be bound to opt for democratic agitation," he added.

Opposing the move, the Convening Committee for Unification (CCU) had called for 10-hour Karbi Anglong bandh on February 13 in protest against the proposed merger of the Hill Area Development (HAD) department and Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).