Samarjit Haflongbar appeals for peaceful resolution of Council nomenclature issue

Haflong, Sept 3: Former MLA and former Chief Executive Member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Samarjit Haflongbar, has appealed to the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum (IPF) and other concerned organisations to resolve the ongoing controversy over the nomenclature of the Council through peaceful dialogue and constitutional means.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Haflongbar said the present controversy over the use of “Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC)” instead of “North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC)” should be viewed with historical and constitutional clarity.

He recalled that the Council was earlier known as the North Cachar Hills District Council and that, following the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding and subsequent amendment of the Sixth Schedule, the word “District” was replaced by “Autonomous” in the names of the two hill councils.

Haflongbar said any formal change in the constitutional nomenclature of the Council should follow the appropriate legal and constitutional procedure, including amendment of the Sixth Schedule wherever required.

While acknowledging the democratic right of the IPF to protest, he appealed against an indefinite bandh, stating that disruption of highways, railways and normal public life would cause hardship to students, patients, traders, daily-wage earners and travellers.

He urged all concerned to seek legal and constitutional remedies instead of resorting to measures that could disturb normal life.

“Dima Hasao belongs to all its indigenous communities. Differences over nomenclature should not be allowed to disturb the peace, unity and communal harmony” of the district, Haflongbar said.