Violence mars Dima Hasao bandh

Assam’s hill district of Dima Hasao witnessed violence on Thursday as angry mob torched a passenger train during a 12-hour bandh called by different organisations to protest against the alleged inclusion of large tracts of state's land in proposed 'Greater Nagalim'.

Police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to control the protesters as they threw stones at the personnel, damaging public property.

A senior police officer said, “Silchar-bound train from Guwahati was attacked by a mob and stones were pelted on policemen. We had to resort to baton charge in which some people were injured.”


Section 144 of the CrPc has been clamped in the area.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed two ministers of his cabinet to visit the hill district.

Raising seeks solution
Continuing its opposition to the assembly, NSCN-IM Steering Committee covener Rh. Raising said a solution to the problem has to be found before the elections.

Rhising, while speaking on Joint council meeting in the NSCN-IM’s headquarter Camp Hebron, said: “Solution is about the unique history, culture and identity of the Nagas whereas election is about India; solution is about the land of the Nagas whereas election means it is about Indian territory; solution is about the principle of self-reliance whereas election is about dependence on others; solution means Naga people will be the epicenter of Naga politics whereas election means Delhi will be the high command of the Naga politics.”

“Let us therefore, decide whether we choose solution or election; whether we choose freedom or slavery. We are the prime factor. Our decision will take us to the top of the world or pull us down to the bottom. We have nothing to fear or dismay,” he added.