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Assam Accord clause panel’s report not examined yet
Why is it in news?
- The Assam government has not examined the report of a panel formed for recommending measures for the implementation of Clause 6 of the 1985 Assam Accord that had ended a six-year agitation against illegal immigration.
Details:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs had in July 2019 constituted the 14-member panel headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Biplab Kumar Sarma.
- Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had accepted the report on behalf of the MHA after it was finalised in February.
- The proposals included reservation of 80-100% seats in the Assembly, Parliament and local bodies for the indigenous people and introduction of British-era Inner-Line Permit system in the State.
- The committee also recommended that Indian citizens who were in the State in 1951 should be treated as “Assamese” for the purpose of giving reservation.
Assam Accord:
- Rajiv Gandhi government signed an agreement with the protesters - AASU and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad in 1985 bringing the agitation to an end.
- The agreement between the Centre and the protesters is called the Assam Accord.
- In the 15 clauses of the Assam Accord, the key focus areas were:
(1) Foreigners issue
(2) Economic development
(3) Restricting acquisition of immovable property by foreigners
(4) Prevention encroachment of government lands
(5) Registration of births and deaths
- This was done to ensure protection of political, social, economic and cultural identity of the local people.
- Clause 6 of the Assam Accord: Constitutional, legislative and administrative steps will be taken by the Centre to "protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people".