The year 1985 witnessed a significant development in the political set up of the State. As a result of the six-year-long movement launched by the All Assam Students' Union and Assam Gana Parishad on the foreign national issue in the State, the historic Assam Accord was signed, in the early hours of 15 August 1985.
Here, we bring you some of the specific clauses of the Assam Accord relating to the illegal immigrants problems:
Clause 5.2: All persons who came to Assam prior to 01-01-1966, including those whose names appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1957 elections, shall be regularised.
Clause 5.3: Foreigners who came to Assam after 01-01-1996 (inclusive) and up to 24 March 1971 shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners' Act, 1946 and the Foreigners' (Tribunals) Order, 1969
Clause 5.4: Names of foreigners so detected will be deleted from the electoral rolls in force. Such persons will be required to register themselves before the Registration Officers of the respective districts in accordance with the provisions of the Registration of Foreigners' Act, 1939 and Registration of Foreigners' Rules, 1939.
Clause 5.5: For this purpose, the Government of India will undertake suitable strengthening of the Government machinery.
Clause 5.6: On the expiry of a period of 10 years following the date of detection, the names of all such persons who have been deleted from the electoral rolls shall be restored.
Clause 5.7: All persons who have been expelled earlier but have since re-entered illegally into Assam shall be expelled.
Clause 5.8: Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 24, 1971, shall continue to be detected, deleted and expelled in accordance with the law. Immediate and practical steps shall be taken expect such foreigners.
The Assam Accord provides specific guidelines to safeguard the socio-cultural identity of the indigenous people and to enhance the Standard of human life in the State. The relevant main clauses 6 & 7.
Clause 6: Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
Clause 7: The Government take this opportunity to renew their commitment to the speedy all-round economic development of Assam so as to improve the standard of living of the people. Special emphasis will be placed on education and science and technology, through the establishment of national institutions.
The Accord also incorporates several clauses relating to the restoration of normalcy in the State after the period of the movement was over, to help alleviate the sufferings of the people.
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