Silchar, May 12: The conflict between the Hmar and Dimasa tribes appears to have reached flashpoint with the killing of two prominent members of either community on the same day.
Narmendu Langthasa, the fourth son of veterinary minister G.C. Langthasa, was evidently shot dead to avenge the killing of a Hmar leader about an hour earlier. The killings followed the pattern of the ethnic clashes since February — instant reprisal for each attack.
The biggest of these incidents was the massacre of 22 Dimasa tribesmen by Hmar militants in Cachar district on March 31.
Though the atmosphere remained surcharged, there were signs of reconciliation between the warring tribes last month.
The Dima Halam Daoga (DHD) and the Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic), whose rivalry had sparked the conflict, agreed to exercise restraint and leaders of both communities formed joint peace committees.
However, the truce was short-lived. On April 9, a 48-hour curfew was declared in North Cachar Hills following arson and clashes during a 12-hour bandh called by the All-Dimasa Students’ Union in protest against the massacre in adjacent Cachar.
The curfew was later extended by a record 24 days to prevent a fresh outbreak of clashes in the district.
The DHD again came into the picture when the army arrested 15 of its members in Cachar on charges of violating the outfit’s ceasefire with the Centre and playing a role in the ethnic clashes. However, they were released a few days later.
There are over 12,000 Hmars in North Cachar Hills and a little over 6,000 in Cachar. In contrast, there are nearly 15,000 Dimasas in Cachar district alone.
The Hmars of North Cachar Hills are convinced that they will be discriminated against if the DHD clinches a deal with the Centre for a separate state of “Dimaraji”. Hmar organisations also suspect the DHD of creating a hostile environment to trigger an exodus of people from their community.
Intelligence agencies had informed the police last month that Lalhmingthanga Sanate, the self-styled chairman of the Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic), had sent a group to Cachar district to avenge the alleged persecution of Hmars in south Assam.