Talks underway with AASU on implementing Clause 6 of Assam Accord: Assam CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 2, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) to implement the Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma Committee’s recommendations on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, was the culmination of a six-year-long anti-foreigner movement. It mandates the detection and deportation of foreigners who entered Assam on or after March 25, 1971.

The Justice Biplab Sarma Committee was established in 2019 amidst protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Its report, submitted in 2020, included measures to safeguard the indigenous population.

The clause of the Assam Accord, signed in 1985, ensures constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect the indigenous people of Assam.

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Sarma stated that most committee recommendations would be implemented by April 2025, with specific steps expected to be introduced during the state Assembly’s budget session.

He aid in conducting cadastral surveys in riverine (‘Char’) areas is a contentious issue requiring consensus from the Assamese community. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) remains debatable, with demands for its review coming from various sections of society.

40 recommendations of the Sarma panel is exclusive to state government implementation, 12 recommendations to be jointly implemented by the state and central governments and 15 recommendations are exclusive to the central government. These recommendations focus on land rights, cultural preservation, and linguistic safeguards.

The recommendations will apply to districts in the Brahmaputra Valley but exclude Barak Valley comprising three districts and Sixth Schedule Areas including Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, and Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

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Sarma highlighted the need for a domicile policy to ensure indigenous people have greater access to government jobs. He noted that courts often interpret recruitment rules in favour of national-level applicants, which limits opportunities for locals.

Sarma emphasized the importance of collaboration with AASU to implement the state-specific recommendations. He stated that improving relationships among Assam’s diverse communities would help resolve most issues amicably.

“The state government is committed to protecting Assam’s indigenous population through the implementation of Clause 6 recommendations,” Sarma said and expressed optimism that the collaborative efforts with AASU and other stakeholders would address lingering concerns and strengthen safeguards for the Assamese people.