With the insurgent group Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) on Thursday agreeing to shun violence and join the mainstream, following a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Assam government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the development will mark the end of tribal insurgency in the state. The DNLA, a relatively new insurgent group formed in 2019, was operating in Assam's Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts. At the time of its formation, the group had claimed that it was "committed to revamp the national struggle and fight for the liberation of a sovereign, independent Dimasa Nation". In September 2021, the DNLA had declared a unilateral ceasefire for a period of six months “for better peaceful environment, development talks and co-relation among us”, after which talks began with the government. According to the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed on Thursday, "the signatory armed group has agreed to abjure violence.in furtherance of their objectives and join the peaceful democratic process as established by the law of the land”. Among the provisions of the MoS is formation of a Dimasa Welfare Council, headquartered in Guwahati, based on the recommendations of which the state government will provide "adequate funds for development activities for the benefit of Dimasa people residing outside the jurisdiction of North Cachar Autonomous Hills Council". It also states that the Centre and the state may consider a Rs 500-crore package each over a period of five years for infrastructure development. Along with the economic rehabilitation of surrendered cadre, the MoS states that criminal cases for non-heinous offences will be withdrawn and criminal cases for heinous offences will be reviewed on a case to case basis. Shah stated that more than 168 cadre from the DNLA have joined the “mainstream". He said, “With this agreement, there will be no tribal militant outfit roaming with arms in the forests of Assam.” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “After this agreement, we will not have any tribal insurgency. Whatever tribal insurgency was there, we have had discussions and agreements with. I don't think any new extremism will start because everyone has joined the peace process with their hearts.” Along with government representatives, a six-member DNLA group was present. Sarma stated that the Assam government is also hopeful of concluding a peace accord with pro-talks faction of the ULFA by the end of May.
