SILCHAR: People belonging to both Dimasa and Zeme Naga communities in North Cachar Hills are angry with the administration for "harassing" the common men. They believe militant outfits engaged in ongoing clashes have made life more difficult for them in the last two months.
"This is not an ethnic clash. People of NC Hills have no role in it and have nothing to do with it. This is an outcome of armed conflict among some militant groups belonging to both Dimasa and Naga communities," said Dethang Naiding, president of the Jadikhe Naiso Hosom (JNH), the apex body of the Dimasa community in Assam.
The JNH chief criticized the role of security forces deployed in the district for their failure to contain the situation. "There are altogether 67 companies
of army and para-military forces in the district to fight militants. But, to our surprise no arrest has been made in a single case, including the killing of 15 persons and setting houses ablaze in Michidui village this week," Naiding added.
The JNH president urged the government to make it sure that no rebel from any group under ceasefire agreement, is allowed to move freely outside its designated camp.
Addressing a peace meeting organized by the district administration at Haflong this week, prominent Dimasa educationist J K Thosen said, "At least three Dimasa militant outfits and three Naga groups are responsible for the situation today. No villager from both communities has anything to do with it."
"The situation is being misinterpreted by both the administration and security forces. The innocent villagers are being harassed and tortured by security forces under the guise of operation against miscreants in NC Hills. The real culprits, on the other hand, have managed to escape," he added.
Dimasa Mothers Association also blamed the security forces saying it is a mystery that whenever someone is arrested he is being set free after sometime.
"They have failed to perform their job and the situation in the district has grown from bad to worse," said Rajashree Naiding, president of the organization.
I Zeme, a well known personality from Zeme Naga community in NC Hills said, "There is something wrong with the combing operation. Security personnel should work on their own and not move around with cadres who have surrendered earlier. IGP (security task force) Preetpal Singh said, "We are doing our job in an unbiased manner to ensure peace in the region. We too want this violence to come to an end. Social organizations should come forward with a permanent solution."
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