NEW DELHI, March 26 - In a move to ensure implementation of the Assam Accord, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today urged the Centre to constitute a special committee to oversee implementation of the Clause 6 of the Accord concerning Constitutional safeguards for the indigenous people of the State.
Sonowal made the suggestion before Home Minister Rajnath Singh when he called on him here this morning. The meeting saw Sonowal raise several issues that have been dogging the State Government, including granting of ST status to six communities, appointment of a new interlocutor for talks with the pro-talk ULFA and all overground factions of NDFB, funds for NRC update, payments to Home Guards, Village Defence personnel, etc.
He also sought additional Central paramilitary forces, and a discussion on �Nagalim� between the Centre and the NSCN(I-M). The Chief Minister raised the issue of Th Muivah�s recent announcement over integration of Naga-inhabited areas.
Later, briefing newsmen, Sonowal said the special committee on implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord would comprise experts from legal, constitutional, sociological, historical and cultural backgrounds and it will give recommendations on how to effectively implement the Clause 6.
Sonowal urged Singh to ensure expeditious completion of the Indo-Bangla border fencing, including the riverine areas, and also install a new fencing with modern design. He also requested that fencing in the neighbouring states be also completed. The Home Minister agreed to re-examine the entire matter in a time-bound manner.
The issue of Foreigners Tribunals and detention centres for persons detected as foreigners was also discussed. It was agreed to give extension to the 100 tribunals with proper infrastructure and amenities. Singh also agreed to consider establishing separate detention centres to house the detenues declared by the tribunals as foreigners, pending their deportation.
On the NRC issue, Sonowal said that besides extending all support to RGI, the Assam Government would also seek legal opinion on the issue. The NRC update process has been hit because of the recent judgement of the Gauhati High Court, which has rejected panchayat certificates as proof of citizenship.
The Chief Minister requested Singh to hold tripartite talks with various organisations on their demands. These would include the leaders of the six ethnic communities demanding ST status, including Koch Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms, Morans, Mottocks, Chutias and the tea garden communities.
He also suggested discussions at the Central level on the Assam Accord, the Bodoland issue, the issues of Adivasis and the Koch Rajbongshis. Singh agreed to hold talks early and said the dates for the meetings would be communicated soon.
Sonowal conveyed to Singh that his government needs additional forces in light of the prevailing law and order situation. He also mentioned about the raising of new India Reserve Battalion, enhanced allocation for modernisation of police forces, revision of SRE scheme guidelines, etc.
Sonowal urged the Home Ministry to appoint a new interlocutor for peace talks with the pro-talk ULFA, NDFB(P) and NDFB(RD). The talks with all these groups have been in a limbo following the Centre�s decision not to renew the erstwhile interlocutor PC Haldar�s appointment.
