CGBU disproves Dimasa National Council’s demand

Dimapur, July 19 (MExN): In response to the memorandum served by the Dimasa National Council (DNC) to Union Home minister to supposedly ‘reclaim Dimapur to Assam,’ the Chakhroma GB's Union (CGBU) has said that Nagas have been living in the forefathers’ land without any hindrance.  

In a statement issued by Chakhroma GB's Union(CGBU) President, Thepfukedo Kuotsu and Atso Gwizan, Secretary, it said that it is true that the Kacharis had their kingdom in the plains of Dimapur till the nomenclature 'Dimapur' was derived from a Kachari word representing an ancient name of the Kachari kingdom.  

“One must acknowledge the fact that during the first part of the 16th century, the Dima Raja and his men were chased out of Dimapur and have never returned ever since,” it stated.  

According to oral tradition, the Dima Raja married a daughter of Thezhuo Kemeduo, a magician in whose honour he erected a Kuda (gate) and dug ponds around Pudumpukhuri area dedicated to his wife. However after the end of their (Dima and Thezhuo) friendship, a subsequent Ahom King sent some men and elephants and destroyed the Kuda sometime during the 18th century.  

According to history, the union added that the Dima and his men were defeated by the mighty Angamis after which the Dima and his men escaped to the North Kachar hills during 1530 - 1536 and have not returned despite a lapse of centuries. Later during the 18th century Kachari labourers were brought by the British to Dimapur to work in the forest. However it must be mentioned that these people continued to live only under the patronage of Angamis and never as political occupants like in the 16th century.  

The release also mentioned that official records about the functioning of Gaon Buras or Village Chiefs existed since as early as 1840. In his book ‘The North East Frontier of India', Sir Alexander Mackenzie writes (Page No. 106) of an event wherein two Gaon Buras or Chiefs of Samoogoodting (Present Chumoukedima) entered into written engagements (Political Proceedings, June 15, 1840, Nos. 98 -99) to maintain friendly relations and to settle in the plains.  

The record further reveals that 'Lands east of Mohung Dijooa (presently called Manja Tin Ali, Karbi Anglong) were promised them, and the Naga prisoners were all released.'  

“The Nagas are only occupying their forefathers' lands and have been living in peace without reason for hindrance. We rightfully claim our forefathers' land based on the 9th Point Agreement, 1947, which had earlier been transferred to Assam without the consent of Naga leaders,” it stated.