Cong calls for implementation of Clause 6, slams state govt

Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday called for the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, in letter and spirit, to safeguard the indigenous communities, emphasizing on its importance before the 2026 assembly elections.

In a joint press conference, APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah and leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia alleged that CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had been promoting ‘false implementation’ of Clause 6, after “nullifying Clause 5 of the Assam Accord through the ‘CAA’ law”.

“To divert attention from his rampant corruption, CM Sarma has announced partial implementation of the recommendations from Justice (Retd.) Biplab Sharma committee’s report on Clause 6, aiming to secure victory in the 2026 assembly elections,” Borah alleged.

The Union home ministry had constituted the committee, headed by Sharma, a former judge of Gauhati HC, for speedy implementation of Clause 6 of the 1985-Assam Accord. The Clause seeks provisions for granting constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.

While the committee had submitted its report to the then CM Sarbananda Sonowal on February 25, 2020, the opposition has since then targetted the state govt for allegedly neglecting it.

With the state govt carrying out eviction drives against illegal settlers from govt lands, as well as from tribal belts and blocks, Borah questioned how land rights could be given to indigenous people, without defining who they were. He also said that the state government will not be able to implement the recommendations of the committee without the Centre’s approval. “Despite CM Sarma’s announcement of implementing 57 recommendations (of the committee) in the recent cabinet meeting, the central government has yet to issue any statement,” Borah said.

The APCC president also pointed out that a 4-km stretch at Dumapara, along the India-Bangladesh border in Karimganj, remains open. He challenged the double-engine govt to seal the border, grant dual-citizenship and establish an Upper House for indigenous communities. Borah also demanded transparency on the govt’s proposals to bring in representatives from Deori, Tiwa, Rabha and other communities into the Upper House.

Saikia recalled that the Congress govt was dissolved, after the Assam Accord, to form a new govt and had sent proposals to the Centre for a Upper House.

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