Police Clash with Bandh Supporters in Haflong, Several Injured

Haflong, February 11, 2020:

Amid the ongoing bandh called by the Indigenous People's Forum (IPF) in Dima Hasao district, a clash occurred between police and bandh supporters which has left as many as five people injured.

ALSO READ: CAA to Worsen Unemployment Problem in Dima Hasao, Warns Dimasa Student Body

"An indefinite bandh has been called today. Earlier in the morning, a youth was travelling by bike in Haflong when he was halted by bandh supporters who attacked him and damaged his bike. Then, the picketers were confronted by police and charged with batons. Around 4-5 picketers were grievously injured and have been shifted to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, the situation remains somewhat volatile; Section 144 has been imposed here, and security personnel are patrolling the streets..", a Haflong resident informed Inside Northeast.

It may mentioned here that earlier, he Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), a non-Dimasa community from Dima Hasao district of Assam, had announced an "indefinite bandh" in demand of separate Autonomous district with separate Autonomous Councils for the non-Dimasas in the district.

ALSO READ: Non-Dimasas in Dima Hasao Facing “Identity Crisis”, Says Indigenous People’s Forum

In a recent press release, the organization has claimed, “Dimasas, with an attempt to dislodge the non-Dimasa populace from the District, waged ethnic clashes against them thrice in span of a decade – against the Hmars in 2003, against the Karbis in 2005, and against the Zeme Nagas in 2009. After forcible renaming of the N.C.Hills District as Dima Hasao in 2010, the non-Dimasa people are facing identity crisis.”

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