Last modified: 2017-05-31 by ian macdonald
Keywords: dimasa | assam |
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image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 16 April 2009
The Dimasa people (or Dima-fisa, and also called Dimasa-Kachari) from Assam
in northeastern India are a part of the greater Bodo-Kachari group. The Dimasas
live mostly in the northern half of the North Cachar Hills, an administrative
district of the Indian state of Assam, including the ravines of the Jatinga
valley and the adjoining land. The Kachari kingdom is associated with the Dimasa
people." (Wikipedia, more at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimasa_people).
Mass migration of
outsiders, mainly Muslim Bangladeshis, ignited violent reaction of the tribal
people of Assam and Dimasas began the struggle to have their own state -
Dimaraji. Creation of the Autonomous Council of North Cachar Hills didn't
satisfy them and the agitation for Dimaraji continues, peacefully and violently.
Most active organizations in the push for Dimaraji State are Dima Halim Daoga
(DHD) and Dimasa Student's Union (DSU).
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/terrorist_outfits/dhd.htm.
James B. Minahan (Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations - Ethnic and
National Groups Around the World - volume III), under the caption "Masas",
pictures and describes the flag:
"The Masa national flag, the flag of the
national movement, is a red field bearing a narrow horizontal yellow stripe
across the center."
Jaume Ollé presented the flag of Dimasa in colors as
above, but with equal stripes (Flag Report).
The news photos of the
demonstrations for the creation of the Dimaraji State show the flag with narrow
extreme stripes at the top and bottom and some kind of the device (logo or
emblem) added on the middle, yellow stripe. But the color scheme remains the
same in all three cases.
Chrystian Kretowicz, 15 April 2009