Cut-off Date for "Indigenous" Status should be 1971, Says AIUDF

Guwahati, February 18, 2020:

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) expressing concern over the people who came to Assam between 1951 to 1971, has asked the clause 6 committee to fix the cut-off date as per the Assam Accord which is 1971.

Speaking to the media, AIUDF general secretary, Aminul Islam said, “If the cut-off date is fixed at 1951 then what will happen to the people who were granted citizens based on the Assam Accord? The people should not be harassed due to the implementation.”

He added that since the high level committee was based on the Assam Accord, the cut-off should remain 1971. Even if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is issued in the state, it should be made sure that the other people who’ll stay in Assam with ILPs should not face any problems. A written appeal have already been submitted to the committee by the AIUDF.

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He further added that 67 per cent reservation will also fringe the rights of several people came between 1951 and 1971 as they were promised citizenship in the state based on the Assam Accord. Even the fate of the people who came to the state with the CAA with be at an uncertainty.

AAMSU leader Azizur Rahman speaking on the issue said that the if base year is fixed at 1951 then at least 35 per cent of the population will be deprived as they nor the government has sufficient data to prove that they came or have been living in Assam prior to 1951.

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He added, “The base year should be fixed for people who came to Assam prior to 1971 and have accepted the language and culture of the state wholeheartedly.”

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