This was the assurance given by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi to a 17-member Dimasa delegation, who met him in Dispur yesterday.
The delegates from All Dimasa Students Union, Dimasa People’s Council, Joint Action Committee for Dimaraji Movement and All Dimasa Women Forum met Gogoi and submitted a single-point memorandum demanding early solution of the Dimasa statehood issue.
Gogoi’s assurance about an “early solution” comes just a month after the Centre’s interlocutor P.C. Haldar’s comment that the talks with Dima Halam Daogah were reaching the last stage and an accord would be signed soon.
Joint Action Committee for Dimaraji Movement convener Lakpa Lama said, “We requested the chief minister to find an honourable solution of the matter in accordance with the charter of demands of the Nunisa-led faction of DHD. He assured us that the proposed accord would be signed at the earliest, but there might be some compromise regarding some points in the charter.”
According to Lama, Gogoi assured the delegation that a very sincere solution of the issue would be arrived at, and that the proposed pact might reflect the basic needs stated in the DHD charter.
According to a source at Dispur, the accord with the Dimasa militant outfit would be signed for a territorial council and as for the DHD’s demand for inclusion of parts of the neighbouring districts of Nagaon, Cachar and Karbi Anglong, there would be negotiations.
“We hope the militant outfit would let go of this demand and an accord would be signed for a territorial council within the existing geographical boundary of the Dima Hasao district autonomous council,” the source said.
Lama, however, said the geographical boundary issue was not discussed in yesterday’s discussion with the chief minister. “Geographical boundary and other clauses are part of the militant outfit’s discussions with the Centre. We just want a solution in accordance with their demand, for the greater interest of peace and development of the region,” he said.
DHD chief Dilip Nunisa, on the other hand, said the outfit would not compromise on the proposed Dimaraji boundary. “We are ready to come down from the main demand — an autonomous state. But we will not compromise when it comes to the original boundary of the ancient Dimasa kingdom,” he said.