Haflong, May 20: The Indigenous Students’ Forum (ISF), led by David Keivom, on Wednesday met the Principal Secretary (N) of the autonomous council in Dima Hasao and demanded the immediate correction of official nomenclature being used in recent notifications issued by the council authorities.
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| ISF members led by David Keivom meet the Principal Secretary (N) in Haflong to demand the use of the constitutionally recognised name North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in official notifications. (Image: facebook.com/david.keivom) |
The organisation objected to the reported use of “Dima Hasao Hills Autonomous Council” in official notifications instead of the constitutionally recognised name “North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council” (NCHAC). ISF alleged that the use of two different nomenclatures for the same council without any constitutional amendment or legal sanction raises serious constitutional and legal concerns.
In its representation, the student body urged the authorities to take corrective measures within a few days, warning that failure to do so would compel the organisation to pursue democratic and legal steps. ISF stated that the council authority would be held solely responsible for any consequences arising from the issue.
The controversy comes amid long-standing debates over the identity and nomenclature of the autonomous council in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The district itself was officially renamed from “North Cachar Hills” to “Dima Hasao” in 2010. However, official government records and historical references continue to retain “North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council” as the recognised constitutional name of the Sixth Schedule council. (Dimahasao District)
According to information available on official Assam government portals, while the district’s name was changed to Dima Hasao, “North Cachar Hills” continues to remain in the name of the autonomous council. (Dimahasao District)
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The issue of nomenclature has remained politically sensitive in the multi-ethnic hill district, where several tribal organisations have previously expressed concern over attempts to alter the original identity associated with the council. Reports and studies on the district’s autonomous governance system note that the council was constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution on April 29, 1952, as the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. (Wikipedia)
ISF maintained that any official modification of the council’s name must follow proper constitutional and legal procedures instead of being introduced through administrative usage in official notifications.
