The Barak Democratic Front (BDF), a political party in lower Assam, has called on the state government to release a white paper that addresses concerns regarding the reported inclusion of 19 Barak Valley villages in Dima Hasao district, as well as to provide details about the peace agreement involving the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA). This demand arises amid a backdrop of conflicting statements from various political leaders, contributing to public confusion and anxiety.
During a press briefing, BDF Chief Convenor Pradip Dutta Roy pointed out the inconsistencies in statements made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who assured that no village would be merged without local consent, and Minister Kaushik Roy, who asserted that no mergers are being considered. These contradictory viewpoints from leaders and Dima Hasao organizations have heightened fears of potential communal discord in the region.
“Barak Valley has been an island of peace, with Bengalis, Tea Tribes, and Dimasas coexisting harmoniously for decades,” Dutta Roy emphasized, referencing the region’s stability even during tumultuous events like the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. He accused “vested interests” in Dispur of attempting to disrupt this harmony by inciting divisions among different ethnic and linguistic groups.
In a related issue, Dutta Roy criticized a fringe Dimasa student group for advocating the renaming of Bhasha Shahid Station, a memorial to language martyrs, to honor a Dimasa king. He instead suggested renaming Silchar Airport to acknowledge Dimasa heritage, describing it as a less contentious option. Furthermore, he proposed that if Barak Valley were to become a separate administrative entity, Dima Hasao and Jiribam should remain included, citing historical connections among the Bodo, Dimasa, Tripuri, and Bengali communities.
Dutta Roy urged for transparency on these issues and called for immediate clarification through a white paper, appealing for calm in the region. BDF leaders Haradhan Dutta, Sajal Deb Roy, and Convenor Debayan Deb were present at the briefing.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-bdf-seeks-white-paper-on-village-merger-dnla-deal-clarity.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News,Dimasa National Liberation Army
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Publish Date: 2025-10-15 22:55:00
