Assam: Mising insurgent group LDCM returns to mainstream

Dhemaji: Tribal insurgent group LDCM (Liberal Democratic Council of Misingland), which was once linked with insurgent groups of Assam like the NDFB, officially returned to the mainstream on Saturday.

Formed in October 2009, the LDCM sought to pressure the state and central governments to grant Sixth Schedule status to the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC).

However, the group faced a major setback following the arrest of several leaders and cadres, which led to a unilateral ceasefire in 2015.

During a meeting held on Saturday at Jonai in Dhemaji district, LDCM president Rohan Patir, along with other members, announced their decision to abandon armed struggle.

The meeting included representatives from the Mising Bane Kebang (MBK), the apex body of the tribe, and its allied organizations: the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK - students), Mising Mimak Kebang (action committee), and Takam Mising Mime Kebang (women).

Patir stated that the group realized that armed conflict would not fulfill the aspirations of the Mising people. Instead, progress could be achieved through unified efforts with the community for socio-economic upliftment.

MBK president and Chief Executive Councilor of MAC, Paramananda Chayengia, welcomed the return of the LDCM members and assured them of rehabilitation support, including access to income-generating schemes after skill development training.

He also informed that the Assam Chief Minister had given his approval for LDCM’s reintegration into society.

Jonai MLA Bhuban Pegu praised the LDCM’s decision and expressed hope that the group would now lead efforts to secure greater autonomy for the Mising Council with constitutional recognition.

The LDCM had previously participated in movements, such as the 2012 protest against the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh. They had also engaged in insurgent activities under the banner of creating an independent "Misingland."

Following these activities, the TMPK and other community leaders had strongly opposed any militant actions, reiterating that the Mising community was peace-loving and did not support insurgency. Several LDCM members were arrested by Assam Police in the years that followed.

On May 13, 2021, Assam Police killed an LDCM leader in an encounter in Simen Chapori, Dhemaji district, while arresting five others.

The meeting on Saturday was attended by MAC councilors led by Chairman Sunil Pegu and various Mising leaders.