HT Correspondent
HAFLONG, July 4: The Dima Hasao Delimitation Demand Committee (DHDDC) staged a dharna (protest) in Haflong, the headquarters of Dima Hasao Autonomous District in Assam, in response to the Delimitation Draft Proposal of Parliamentary Constituency and Assembly Constituency issued by the Chief Election Commission of India (CECI). The DHDDC, led by president Kailen Daolagupu and secretary general Elias Pame, along with members from various tribal and non-tribal organisations, organised the protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office. Political party members, women, and representatives from different communities also participated in the protest.
During the protest, MAC Daniel Langthasa highlighted the need for additional representation in the Assembly and Parliament for Dima Hasao district. He emphasised that the hilly terrain and remote areas of the district require stronger representation, as the current single MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) is insufficient. He argued that Dima Hasao, as an Autonomous District within the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, should be treated differently from general districts in terms of population requirements for demarcating boundaries for constituencies.
Former CEM NCHAC Prakanta Warisa also expressed the need for more elected representatives to effectively address the issues faced by the district at the state and national levels. He noted that a single member’s voice often goes unheard in the Assembly, and having more representatives would provide better representation and aid development activities in remote areas.
Following the protest, the DHDDC submitted a memorandum to the secretary of the Election Commission of India and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sharma through the deputy commissioner of Dima Hasao. The memorandum requested the inclusion of Dima Hasao Autonomous Hills District in the Draft Proposal for Delimitation of Parliamentary Constituency and Assembly Constituency in Assam. It urged for the establishment of a separate Parliamentary Constituency (reserved for Scheduled Tribes) and the addition of one more Legislative Assembly Constituency, considering the district’s status within the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution.
The memorandum highlighted the historical background of Dima Hasao district and its population growth, stating the need for enhanced representation due to the predominantly hilly terrain and limited sources of development. It drew a comparison with neighbouring districts like Karbi Anglong, which have multiple Assembly Constituencies despite a larger geographical area. The DHDDC proposed that the creation of constituencies in Dima Hasao district follows the model implemented in Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram, where special considerations were taken into account for demarcating boundaries.
The committee firmly believed that granting their requests for additional representation would address the region’s long-standing issues and contribute to inclusive development and stronger democratic representation for its people. It also appealed for the preservation of the existing nomenclature of the Legislative Assembly Constituency ‘16-Haflong (ST)’ and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present their case. The memorandum concluded by stating that Dima Hasao district should not be disadvantaged for maintaining a healthy population and adhering to the national population control policy.
