Guwahati, Assam, September 26 (HBTV): The Assam government held a crucial meeting on Wednesday evening with the leaders of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) to discuss the implementation of Clause-6 of the Assam Accord. It has been decided that the state’s government will implement its recommendations potentially by next April.     

Clause-6, which aims to provide constitutional safeguards to the indigenous communities of Assam, has remained unimplemented for decades.

The meeting was presided over by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who highlighted the key outcomes. Speaking to the media, he said Justice Biplab Sarma had previously submitted a report on this matter, and it was analyzed what recommendations could be implemented by the state government.

Notably, the recommendations will not be implemented in Barak Valley and areas under Schedule-6 without their consent. Additionally, the state government has requested the Centre to engage with the AASU regarding the provisions in their jurisdiction.

AASU President Utpal Sarma, representing the student body, also expressed his views on the meeting’s progress. He noted that the people of Assam have been demanding constitutional and legal protections for the past four decades. He stated that they have agreed on the path forward. Out of the 67 recommendations, 39 are under the state government, 12 under the joint jurisdiction of the state and central governments, and 16 under the central government.     

It has been decided that the state’s government will implement its recommendations by next April, and an action plan would be developed in coordination with the AASU. Regarding the 16 recommendations that are under the Centre, Sarma said it has been concluded that a tripartite discussion involving the state government, the AASU, and the central government should take place.

The meeting marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to address the long-standing demands of Assam’s indigenous communities. The implementation of these recommendations, particularly those under the state government, is set to begin by next April, bringing some much-needed progress to an issue that has been pending for decades.

The Assam government and the AASU are expected to collaborate closely on the action plan, while the proposed tripartite talks with the central government are seen as crucial for the successful implementation of the remaining recommendations.           

The outcome of this meeting could pave the way for a historic resolution, providing long-awaited constitutional safeguards to Assam’s indigenous communities.