Peace agreement signed between Dima Halim Daoga (DHD) and Government; Garo militants killed in encounter; Northeast peace interlocutor meets anti-talks Bodo rebels; Repatriation of ULFA leader Anup Chetia among the top agendas of India-Bangladesh talks; N
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    • According to reports, amidst escalating tensions in Dima Hasao district, the Centre and the Assam Government sealed a pact with both factions of the Dima Halim Daoga (DHD), seeking to end eight years of conflicts in the hill district that had stalled several major infrastructure projects passing through the area. The most significant moment came, when Dilip Nunisa tried to reach out to the rival faction by honouring Jewel Garlossa with a traditional scarf. The Home Ministry said that the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) provides for enhanced autonomy for the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), which has been rechristened as Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC) and also a special package for speedier socio-economic and educational development of the area, for which the council has been set up. 1

    In another development, according to reports, two militants belonging to the banned Garo outfit GNLA were killed in police firing near Kharkutta in North Garo Hills district on October 8 at a place connecting Wageasi with Dainadubi. The militants were involved in extortion of money from a village market in Kharkutta. 2

    Reports noted that the Central government's peace interlocutor for the Northeast and former Intelligence Bureau chief PC Halder on October 11 met in Guwahati Jail the chief of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to talks. "The talks today were very positive and we hope that a formal agreement could be signed with the NDFB anti-talks faction (led by Ranjan Daimary) within this year," said an Assam Police official. He said it was yet to be decided whether the two factions of the rebel outfit would sit together for the talks. A splinter group of the outfit, now known as NDFB pro-talks faction and led by Gobinda Basumatary, earlier held several rounds of discussions with the state and central government representatives. 3

    Reports noted that cooperation in combating terror, repatriation of ULFA leader Anup Chetia and early conclusion of an extradition treaty will top the agenda at the two-day India-Bangladesh Home Secretary-level talks in Dhaka from October 15. Home Secretary RK Singh will also discuss with his Bangladeshi counterpart Manjur Hussain issues related to infiltration, smuggling of goods and human trafficking. Home Secretary RK Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Manjur Hussain will visit Akhaura Land Customs Station (LCS) and review the progress of the construction of the new LCS for which India sanctioned Rs.73.5 crore. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, normal life in Manipur came to a standstill on October 15 during an 18-hour general strike called by seven separatist outfits. The Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella group of seven major separatist outfits in Manipur who are fighting for an independent state for the majority Meitei community in the state, had called for an 18-hour general strike starting October 14 midnight. The outfits are protesting the erstwhile princely state of Manipur's merger agreement with the Indian Union sixty three years ago. 5

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