Assam to implement most recommendations on key clause of Assam Accord

Assam government to implement 85% of Clause 6 recommendations by April 15, 2024, for constitutional safeguards for Assamese people.

The Assam government has decided to implement most of the recommendations of a panel appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to apply Clause 6 of the Assam Accord by April 15, 2024.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after a Cabinet meeting in North Lakhimpur town on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) evening that 57 of the 67 recommendations of the committee headed by Justice (retired) Biplab Sarma would be implemented.

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The Cabinet decision followed a renewed movement across eastern Assam for protecting the rights of the khilonjia or indigenous communities against the “aggression” of the non-Assamese and other bohiragata (outsiders). The movement was triggered by the alleged gang-rape of a minor girl by Bengali Muslims in central Assam’s Dhing on August 22.

“We have begun the process of implementing the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee report on Clause 6, the application of which the people of Assam have been demanding for long. We sought three years to study the recommendations the committee submitted (more than four years ago) and today, we have decided to implement 85% of these recommendations that fall under the ambit of the State government,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the remaining 10 of the 67 recommendations under the purview of the Centre would be taken up with New Delhi conveniently. “These recommendations will be made public in three to four days,” he added.

The Assam Accord was signed in August 1985 to mark the end of a violent six-year agitation to eject “illegal foreigners” from the State. Most of the clauses of this accord were implemented but successive governments steered clear of Clause 6 guaranteeing “constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards” to the Assamese people.