'Assamese' definition creates uproar in Assembly

Guwahati, Mar 6 (UNI) The issue of an all-encompassing definition of 'Assamese' people created uproar in the Asom Assembly today, with several members of the House demanding tribal state status to protect the rights of the indigenous population.

Assam Accord Implementation Minister Bhumidhar Barman informed the House that the process to arrive at a definition of 'Assamese' people, acceptable to all, had been initiated.

''Two meetings of the committee formed to expedite the process had already been held,'' he added.

The issue was raised in the Question Hour by ruling Congress coalition partner BPPF(H) MLA Karendra Basumatary. He wanted to know the progress in the process of arriving at a clear and all- encompassing definition of 'Assamese', among the priority clauses of the historic Assam Accord.

In his reply, Dr Barman said political parties, literary bodies, youth and students' organisations, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), signatory of the Accord, had been involved in the process.

He said,''The Asom Sahitya Sabha had been entrusted with the responsibility of putting together a definition of 'Assamese' people, but when it could not come at a clear one, the government had stepped in.'' In a supplementary to the main question, Opposition CPI MLA Drupad Borgohain urged tribal state status for Asom under Articles 370 and 371 of the Constitution.

He said,''If the people of the state are not given right over land, their very identity could be threatened,'' adding that the non-tribal population should be extended similar facilities if the state gets tribal state status.

Members of the main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) created uproar and demanded an early definition of 'Assamese' people, pointing out that more than 20 years had elapsed since the signing of the Accord.

The AGP legislators also demanded a pro-active role of the Centre in the process as the Union Home Ministry was the nodal body for implementation of the Accord, alleging the process was being delayed.

In a related written question in the day on the progress of implementation of the various clauses of the Accord, the Assam Accord Implementation Minister informed that clauses 8, 13, 14 and 15 had been implemented.

Implementation of the other clauses is also on, though no time frame has been fixed for its completion, he added.

UNI