The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) has submitted a memorandum to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking government intervention on eight long-standing demands concerning the constitutional identity, land rights, cultural heritage, connectivity and welfare of the Dimasa Kachari community.In the memorandum dated September 22, the students’ body sought recognition of all sections of the Dimasa Kachari community under a single constitutional identity of “Dimasa Kachari” across India. The ADSU said Dimasa Kacharis are currently recognised under different names in different regions. These include Dimasa Kachari in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, Barman Kachari in the Barak Valley, Hojai Kachari in Nagaon and Hojai districts, and Kachari in Nagaland. The union urged the government to initiate steps, including a constitutional amendment, to bring all these sections under one unified identity.
Land rights and the socio-economic condition of Dimasa people in the Bordolong Lankha Tribal Belt in Hojai district were also among the major concerns raised in the memorandum. According to data cited by the ADSU, the area has 10,840 Dimasa Kachari residents and 15,505 non-tribal residents. The union further said Chitha records indicate that around 2,107 non-tribal individuals hold land rights within the protected tribal belt. The students’ body alleged that the situation has contributed to the alienation of tribal land. It called for an immediate halt to further transfer of land in the protected tribal belt to non-protected classes. The ADSU also demanded an investigation into land transfers in the area and restoration of land wherever violations of applicable laws are established. It further sought action to remove illegal encroachments from the tribal belt. Another key demand relates to the implementation of Clause 2.2(A) of the DNLA Accord. The union sought early implementation of the provision, including the inclusion of additional villages contiguous to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. The ADSU also proposed the creation of a Dimasa Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council for members of the community living outside areas covered by the Sixth Schedule.
The protection of Dimasa cultural and historical heritage also featured in the memorandum. The union called for the protection, preservation and beautification of the historic Khaspur Rajbari in the Barak Valley.The ADSU alleged that encroachment within the protected area was posing a threat to the heritage site. It also claimed that a school building had been constructed within the protected zone and sought appropriate steps to protect the historical property. Connectivity between Assam and Nagaland was another major issue raised by the students’ organisation. The ADSU demanded early construction of an RCC bridge connecting Dhansiri in Assam with Dhansiripar in Nagaland. The union said the proposed bridge would improve access to essential services and strengthen the longstanding social and cultural ties shared by Dimasa communities living on both sides of the state boundary. It also sought early construction of the proposed Dhansiri-Dimakro two-lane road linking Dhansiri in Karbi Anglong district with Dimakro in Dima Hasao district.
