Assam: It's a shame that Assamese will have to show paperwork to get clause 6 benefits, says BJP's Minority leader

The High-Level Committee for the implementation of Clause 6 of the historic 1985 Assam has given a host of measures in clause 6 committee report. In those Assamese communities residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any indigenous tribal community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any other indigenous community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, all other citizens of India residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, and descendants of the above categories.

1951 has led to political confusion regarding how the cutoff date will be implemented. Himanta Biswa Sarma has already said that only further discussion in the Assam Legislative Assembly will solve the problem. Speaking to Inside Northeast, BJP Minority Morcha leader Muminul Aowal said, "we don't need to identify who a tribal is. They already have a list. Non-tribal identification should be made along with groups such as Moriya. All these people including Bodos, Rabhas, Kalitas, Ahoms, Goriyas and Moriyas then should get the benefits of clause 6".

Also read: Assam: AASU is now a political party, not an organisation: Himanta Biswa on clause 6 committee report

On the issue of lack of documentation he said, "the 1951 year linkage will be difficult to prove for the triabls as they don't have valid land records and paper work. As for the illegal immigrants, they will utlise this situation to take out fake documents like they did in the NRC process. It's a shame that Assamese people have to show paperwork in their own state. This is an insult to all the Assamese people".

The BJP's minority leader then forwards a framework of 3 things. "Firstly there should not be a year cutoff for the implementation of clause 6, the communities who have suffered and are backward needs to get the benefits and lastly there should be better facilities for all such Assamese communities to go to Assembly".

The leader believes that the listing of Assamese people will suffice the process instead of taking the 1951 cutoff. He also stated, "that's why we were talking of a census of Goriya, Moriya and other communities".

Earlier, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), on August 12^th, 2020 made public the Centre’s confidential high-level committee’s report prepared and submitted for implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord.

The High-Level Committee for the implementation of Clause 6 of the historic 1985 Assam Accord has come up with the conclusion that the “definition of Assamese people should consist of Indigenous Tribals as well as other Indigenous communities of Assam over and above indigenous Assamese.” The Committee had recommended five specific categories to define the ‘Assamese’ keeping in mind the implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord. These categories were – Assamese communities residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any indigenous tribal community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any other indigenous community residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, all other citizens of India residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, and descendants of the above categories.

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