THE ceasefire between the militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and the Centre has been extended for another year upto December 31, 2004. The ceasefire between the two has been in operation since January 1, 2003. It was decided to extend the suspension of hostile operations between the DHD and security forces after mutual consultation. Meanwhile, DHD has appealed to all insurgent outfits active in the

North-East to come forward for negotiations. At the same time, DHD chief Joel Garlusa has also made an appeal to the Centre to go for a political settlement of issues through dialogue. The DHD is planning to submit its list of political demands to the Centre. The outfit is demanding a separate state of ‘Dimaraji’. It is being expected that political dialogue with the DHD would get under way once the outfit submits the list of demands. The outfit’s influence is primarily over the two districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts. Reacting to the developments in Bhutan, the DHD chief has said that the North East militants are fighting for their own cause, so these operations should be stopped immediately. “We have nothing against Bhutan or its people and therefore we appeal to the Royal Government of Bhutan to immediately provide relief to the injured non-combatants and injured prisoners and hand them over to their families through any international monitoring agency,’’ Garlusa said. A delegation of DHD, led by Garlusa, was recently in Delhi to hold talks for extension of the ceasefire.

 Meanwhile, the mood in North Block, which houses the Ministry of Home Affairs, is upbeat especially afetr the successful implementation of the Bodo Accord. The signing of the accord with Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) is a major achievement of the year. The settlement has ushered in bright hopes for the Bodo people. Moreover, 2500 Bodo militants had also surrendered with their arms and  ammunition at Kokrajhar following the signing of the agreement on the constitution of the BTC with 46 members having substantive power for legislation and local governance. All in all, as far as North-East is concerned, it was a good year both for its people and the Centre. Negotiation with the NSCN (IM) is on. DHD is also interested in solving its grievance through dialogue. One can only hope that other insurgent outfits will soon follow the footsteps NSCN (IM)  and DHD.

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