Dimapur, June 29 (MExN): Representatives of several civil organizations of Assam and the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights recently met over the violence in Assam’s North Cachar Hills. The organizations held convinced opinions that ‘active connivance of a third force’ were in operation to divide the communities. The meeting was held under the aegis of the Peoples’ Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA) in the presence of Dimasa democratic organizations.
The meeting felt that there has been “serious misrepresentation of the conflict as one between ordinary Dimasas and Zeme Nagas in the district, by the media and sections of the security apparatus, including the administration,” according to a joint statement of the PCPIA, NPMHR and ADSU today. Participants at the dialogue reminded that conflict between different communities have become a regular feature in the NC Hills and Karbi Anglong. It calls for a closer scrutiny of different episodes of violence, the joint statement said.
The organizations held strong opinions that the long history of cooperation and coexistence between communities such as Zeme and Dimasa would definitely not become antagonistic without the active connivance of a third force that is inimical to peaceful coexistence between indigenous communities in the region. “The curious turn of events in the political machinations of the Autonomous Hills District Council in NC Hills, as well as the presence of innumerable agencies of the Indian security establishment, should be reason enough to be skeptical about the description of the ongoing conflict in NC Hills,” it said.
Considering the allegations of involvements of “various armed opposition groups” in the district, the organizations have appealed for restrain. It also stated that the presence of government bodies, and also the proposed fact-finding team of the Union Home Ministry that is visiting the NC Hills shortly, should refrain from “provoking people’s sentiments”.
