Surrendered Dima Halom Daogah militants observe daylong hunger strike in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 21 (ANI): Surrendered militants of the Dima Halom Daogah outfit observed daylong hunger strike in Assam's Cachar hills district on Friday in support of their leaders and seeking their early release.

Around 300 surrendered militants stayed without food at the designated camp at Jatinga village, accusing the government of backtracking on its promise to release their leaders.

One of the surrendered militants said the government had not kept its word though 100 days had passed since their surrender.

"Today we are on 24 hours' hunger strike. We want our four chairmen, our chief of Dima Halom Daogah should be released and we came forward to surrender when government asked us to do so and also lay down the arms. And after that, we waited for 100 days, but still government didn't satisfy our demands and till now our demands are not met," said Naola Dimasa, a camp Commander.

Dimasa warned they would prolong their strike if the government did no relent.

"We are on hunger strike and after that if government will not think about it, we will extend our hunger strike for a week and again after that government will not satisfy our demand then all the cadres will move to the jungle," he said.

DHD (J) chairman Jewel Garlosa, who was arrested by the state police, is in jail. (ANI)