Title - 12-hour Dima Hasao bandh to demand autonomy

Silchar: The Hills State Democratic Party (HSDP) has called a 12-hour bandh in DimaHasao district on January 22, demanding the creation of an autonomous state. The bandh will start at 5 am and continue till 5 pm.An HSDP spokesperson on Saturday said the party demands the creation of an autonomous state comprising the hill district in southern Assam. Railway service will also come under purview of the bandh."This is the first phase of a series of agitations on the issue. Conversion of the present North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council to a territorial council will not help change the fate of the people of the district unless they are given full-fledged autonomy in the form of an autonomous state. We urge the Centre and state government to fulfill the demand immediately," said the spokesman.A tripartite agreement between the Centre, Assam government and the surrendered Dima Halam Daoga militants on October 8, 2012, paved the way for the creation of a territorial council for Dima Hasao district, which is yet to be implemented.