Karbi Anglong- Dima Hasao bodies want autonomous state in Assam

A group of organisations from the Karbi Anglong-Dima Hasao region in Assam are demonstrating in Delhi to demand the implementation of section 244 (A) of the Constitution to create an autonomous state within Assam for these regions.

The organisations are submitting memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah as well as Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The organisations include the Karbi Anglong-North Cachar Hills Autonomous State Demand Committee (KANCHASDCOM), the Karbi Students' Association (KSA), the Dimasa Students' Union (DSU), the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS), surrendered militant outfit Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Dimasa Students Association (DSA), Karbi So-Arlo Amei (KARSA), and the Karbi Riso Adorbar (KRA).

Their demand is that following the agreement of the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 1995, an autonomous state in Assam should be created in the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Areas. Till recently, Dima Hasao was known as the North Cachar Hills. On April 1, 1995, the Centre had signed a MoU between the Assam government and the KSA, DSU, the North Cachar Hills Students' Federation (NCFS) and Autonomous Council Demand Committee (ASDC).

"As per the agreement, the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao areas, which come under the sixth schedule, can ask for an autonomous state. Our demand is that this should be immediately implemented. Home minister Rajnath Singh had said during an election campaign that the Centre will look into the matter," said Bijoy Bey, president of the KSA.

The Centre has constituted inter-ministerial talks with the organisations twice till now, once in 1988 and another on December 25, 1989, said Bey. The Bodoland Territorial Council, an autonomous state within Assam, had come about after a prolonged agitation by the Bodo people.