Bodo and Karbi to Dimasa – Tribal Insurgency

Bodo and Karbi to Dimasa – Tribal Insurgency

Subject : Geography

Section: Tribes  in news

Why in news?

The government signed a peace settlement with the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA). It is expected to mark the end of tribal insurgency in Assam.

Claims for Autonomy or Statehood in Assam

Nagaland (1963), Meghalaya (1969), Mizoram (1986) and Arunachal Pradesh (1987) were carved out from Assam due to demands for greater political autonomy, primarily through statehood demands.

Bodos (35% of Assam’s population) were claiming autonomy since 1960s. Three accords were signed with Bodo militant groups in 1993,2003, and 2020. The 1993 accord paved the way for the Bodo land Autonomous Council. The 2003 Accord led to the formation of Bodo Territorial Council (BTC), with jurisdiction over Bodo Territorial Autonomous District(BTAD).

The insurgency by Karbi groups- demand for an autonomous state, taken off in the 1980s. Greater autonomy and special packages for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council were provided. Dimasa groups also claimed autonomy in Assam.

Autonomous Hill Development Council:

• Established under Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Article 244 (2) and Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.
• To safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.
• Governor is empowered to increase or decrease the areas or change the names of the autonomous districts.
• Fifth schedule areas – executive powers of the Union will apply; But Sixth schedule areas– within executive authority of the state.
• Fifth schedule – administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in any state except the four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These 4 states are administered under sixth schedule.
• The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.
• The Councils have also been endowed with wide civil and criminal judicial powers, for example establishing village courts etc. However, the jurisdiction of these councils is subject to the jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.

In Assam – Hill districts of Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the Bodo Territorial Region are under Sixth Schedule.

Bodos

Bodo Tribal Community of Assam is considered as the earliest immigrants of Assam and mainly concentrated in Brahmaputra valleys. It is the largest minority group of the state. It is believed to have arrived in Assam from Tibet through Bhutan passes. As the primitive settlers of Assam valley, the bodo community is considered to be the most traditionally and culturally rich community of the state. For writing they used Roman script and Assamese script. Now they have taken up the Nagari script for their writing. Their rich culture incorporates elements like dancing, singing etc. which reflects the fact that they have many religious practices and beliefs, among which Bathouism has special importance. This community is very fond of conventional drinks called Zu mai. “Baishagu” is the main festival of Bodo community. It is celebrated during the month of April every year.

Karbis

Karbis are an ethnic tribal group scattered in North East India with a concentration in Assam. Once they were believed to have lived on the banks of the rivers the Kalang and the Kopili and the entire Kajiranga area. Racially the Karbis belong to the Mongoloid group and linguistically they belong to the Tibeto-Burman group. Domahi is celebrated in the months of March-April. It is a festival of thanks giving to the almighty Hemphu, the traditional god head of the Karbi Household.

Dimasas

The major population of Dimasas is residing in the hill district of Dima Hasao (erstwhile North Cachar Hills) and in scattered numbers in the districts  of Karbi Anglong , Nagaon and also in the Barak valley area . They are also settled in Nagaland. The language spoken by the Dimasa belongs to the Tibeto- Burman linguistic group. Busu festival is observed in relation to the harvesting period of their jhum cultivation. It is the time for merry making and relaxation after months of hard work.