SUMMARY
The Dimasa people are a tribal group residing in Indias North-East, mainly in the North Kachar Hills, the Karbi Anglong and the Kachar districs of the state of Assam. The group has lived for decades in these areas, alongside a myriad of other tribal groups such as the Hmar, Karbi, Ahom and Kuki groups. In contrast to many other tribal groups in the area the Dimasa are Hindus, and mix their Hindu beliefs with traditional religion. The name Dimasa means sons of the great river in the Dimasa language, the great river being the Brahmaptura that flows through Assam.
Historically the territory which became the state of Assam in the Indian union was, before British colonial rule, ruled by the Ahom people who conquered it in the early thirteenth century. Under British colonial rule Bengali-speakers were favoured, and due to waves of Bengali immigration and the shifting of Assams borders the Bengalis became the majority population in Assam, sparking resentment among a number of the states ethnic minorities (see for instance the conflicts over Assam and Bodoland). Moves after Indias independence by the Assamese elite, comprised mainly of Ahoms, to re-establish their dominance did little to assuage the fears of the tribal groups, spurring further feelings of being culturally and linguistically overrun. Dimasa politicians and activists (as well as protagonists of other ethnic minorities) battled politically against the linguistic, cultural and economic dominance of the Assamese until the struggle also turned violent in the 1980s. The Dimasa have, however, by no means been powerless since independence and have wielded significant control over tribal councils.
The first group advocating armed struggle, DNSF (Dimasa National Security Force), emerged in the 1980s. It was succeeded by DHD (Dima Halam Daogah) in 1995. The incompatibility stems from the DHD outfits claim to an ethnic homeland in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam, comprised of areas with both significant and sporadic Dimasa populations. More specifically, the claim encompasses the areas of North Kachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Kachar Hills (all in Assam) and the Dimapur district (in the state of Nagaland). The group claims that a separate state for the Dimasa is the only way to safeguard the groups identity from assimilation into the majority Assamese culture. DHD has also engaged in attacks on civilians belonging to other ethnic groups, presumably in order to facilitate the creation of its ethnically homogenous homeland.
DHD was founded by Jewel Garlossa, DNSFs former Commander-in-Chief, who refused to lay down his arms when the group surrendered to the government in 1994-5. DHD factionalized in March 2003 (or June 2004, statements differ) over the issue of signing a ceasefire with the government. Garlossas faction went on to become DHD-BW (Dima Halam Daogah - Black Widow), sometimes also referred to as DHD - G, or DHD - J after their leader. The original DHD is, since then, sometimes referred to as DHD - N (DHD - Nunisa faction), after its leader Pranab Nunisa.
Originally, the founding of DHD was supported by the Naga rebel group NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah faction) which initiated the foundation in 1994. However, after 1997, differences regarding the distribution of extortion money and division of land ended the close cooperation. In order to finance their activities, DHD cadres have been actively targeting tea garden managers in the Cahar district. As a result, the issue of extortion has become a salient problem which has rendered tangible results for DHD in terms of financial gains. In addition to extortion money, DHD engage in illegal timber trade.
In 2003, there was a report of a cease-fire between DHD and the government of Assam. However, the cease-fire agreement was never put into action. The efforts had little impact on DHD as the rebel group continued with indiscriminate violence. DHD is believed to have links to the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), the external intelligence service of Pakistan. In addition, DHD has links to another local rebel group, NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland). DHD is a small group, consisting of approximately 500 cadres. In recent years, some members have turned in their weapons to the government.
DHD has been involved in the one-sided and non-state categories of UCDP organised violence.
