The Assam government plans to implement the recommendations outlined in the Biplab Kumar Sarma committee report regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, while excluding the Barak Valley and areas under the Sixth Schedule from its scope.
Officials announced on Thursday that they will keep the Barak Valley, which has a significant Bengali-speaking population, outside the recommendations to mitigate potential conflicts. The government aims to address the region’s unique demographic considerations while moving forward with the report’s findings.
Additionally, areas governed by the Sixth Schedule—namely the Bodoland Territorial Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council, and Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council—will also be exempt from the implementation of the committee’s recommendations. The Sixth Schedule provides constitutional protections for tribal populations, allowing for autonomous governance with legislative, judicial, and executive powers across Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
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Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with representatives from the All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Wednesday to discuss the committee’s recommendations. He highlighted that the panel proposed 67 recommendations, with 40 requiring state government action, 12 necessitating collaboration between state and central authorities, and the remaining recommendations requiring action solely from the central government.
CM Sarma stated, “We have had extensive discussions with AASU leaders regarding the Biplab Kumar Sarma committee report. The leaders agreed with our approach, and we are committed to preparing an action plan based on the committee’s recommendations.
We expect to submit the action plan to AASU by October 25, the date set for a follow-up meeting with student leaders.
The Assam Accord, signed in the wake of a six-year agitation from 1979 to 1985, mandates the deportation of all foreigners who entered the state after March 24, 1971, irrespective of their religious background. Clause 6 of the Accord specifically emphasizes the need for constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people.
