Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Assam Hill Tribes Demand Separate Autonomous Council in Dima Hasao
People from the hill tribes in a district called Dima Hasao in Assam are asking for their area to be split up and have its own special council.
They feel like they lost their identity and rights when the district was renamed about 14 years ago.
For 15 years, they have been asking for this separate council.
They believe the renaming was unfair and separated them from their traditional lands.
They think this new council would help protect their culture and give them back their voice.
They also mentioned that an official had promised to sort this out before the next big election in Assam.
They are worried that if their demands aren't met, they will continue to face difficulties and suppression.
Indigenous groups in Assam's Dima Hasao district held a protest demanding the creation of a separate Autonomous Council.
Protesters, including students, youth, and women, seek the bifurcation of the Dima Hasao district.
They claim their identity and administrative autonomy were lost after the district was renamed from North Cachar Hills in 2010.
The organizations have been demanding this separation for 15 years to protect their cultural, social, and political rights.
A previous assurance was given by the District Commissioner on October 28, 2023, that the issue would be resolved before the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
- Who
- Indigenous Students’ Forum (ISF), Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), and Indigenous Women’s Forum (IWF), comprising students, youth, and women from hill communities.
- What
- Organized a sit-in demonstration and submitted a memorandum demanding the bifurcation of Dima Hasao district and the creation of a separate Autonomous Council.
- When
- Tuesday, November 12.
- Where
- Dima Hasao District, Haflong.
- Why
- To restore their identity and administrative autonomy, which they claim was lost after the district was renamed in 2010, and to safeguard their cultural, social, and political rights.
Hill Tribes Demanding Separate Council
Government/District Administration Stance
Autonomous Council Creation
Hill Tribes Demanding Separate Council
Indigenous groups in Dima Hasao are demanding the immediate bifurcation of the district and the creation of a separate Autonomous Council to safeguard their cultural, social, and political rights, which they believe were lost after the district's renaming.
Government/District Administration Stance
The District Commissioner had previously assured on October 28, 2023, that the bifurcation issue would be settled before the forthcoming Assam Assembly elections, indicating a potential acknowledgment or plan to address the demand.
District Renaming and Identity
Hill Tribes Demanding Separate Council
The hill tribes view the renaming of the North Cachar Hills district as a communal act that alienated them from their ancestral land and diminished their identity.
Government/District Administration Stance
The memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister reiterates the long-standing demand for restoration of their identity and administrative autonomy, lost after the district was renamed on March 30, 2010.
- Protesting Organizations
- Indigenous Students’ Forum (ISF), Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), and Indigenous Women’s Forum (IWF)
- Location of Protest
- In front of the office of the Dima Hasao District Commissioner, Haflong
- Date of Protest
- Tuesday, November 12
- Core Demand
- Immediate bifurcation of Dima Hasao district and creation of a separate Autonomous Council.
- Reason for Demand
- To safeguard cultural, social, and political rights, and restore identity lost after district renaming in 2010.
- Previous Assurance
- District Commissioner assured on October 28, 2023, that bifurcation would be settled before upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
