"We have given the Assam government an end-July deadline to bifurcate the district. If it is not done within the month, we will go on an indefinite economic blockade from August 1," said NCHISF president L Lima Kevom and general secretary Seimingthang Thangew to mediapersons in Haflong on Monday.
The student leaders, who belong to the tribal community, also said if the economic blockade fails to compel the government to provide "justice" to the non-Dimasa tribal populace of the district, NCHISF would start an indefinite Dima Hasao bandh in the next phase of protest. "We will not stop until our demand is met with. We seek immediate bifurcation of the district," said Kavom. Both Kavom and Thangew were arrested from Haflong on June 28 on the charges of "extortion".
The NCHISF leaders said the Assam government changed the name of North Cachar Hills to Dima Hasao with effect from April 1 last year against the will of the non-Dimasa tribal populace. "However, we made it clear that if the district is bifurcated, we have no problem with the change of name. We want that the Dimasa-dominated Maibang sub-division should be made a separate district called Dima Hasao and the Haflong sub-division that should be called NC Hills", said Keivom.