Assam Accord - UPSC Notes | Testbook.com

Understanding the Assam Accord

The Assam Accord refers to a Memorandum of Settlement that was signed in New Delhi on August 15, 1985, between the Governments of India and Assam, and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP).

• The Accord marked the end of a six-year agitation initiated by AASU in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.

Tracing the History of Assam Accord

• Around 1980, the issue of illegal immigrants in Assam started causing major concern.
• This led to an intense fear about the continuous influx of foreign nationals into Assam and the potential negative impact on the political, social, cultural, and economic fabric of the state.
• The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi initiated a dialogue with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), and discussions were held at the PM and Home Minister levels during 1980-83. The formal dialogues resumed in March 1985, under the Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi.
• The Assam Accord was ultimately signed in 1985, taking into consideration all facets of the problem, including constitutional and legal provisions, international agreements, national commitments, and humanitarian considerations.

Provisions of the Assam Accord

The key agreements made under this accord include:

• The notable clauses of the Assam Accord are as follows:
  • Issue of Foreigners (Clause 5)
  • Safeguards and Economic Development (Clauses 6 and 7)
  • Restoration of Normalcy (Clauses 13 and 14)
• In 1986, the Government of Assam established a new Department, named “ Implementation of Assam Accord Department ”, to implement the various clauses of the Memorandum of Settlement.

The Foreigners Issue:

• It was agreed that “ for purposes of detection and deletion of foreigners, 1.1.1966 shall be the base data and year” and that “ all persons who came to Assam prior to 1.1.1966 , including those amongst them whose names appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections shall be regularised.”
• Foreigners who “ came to Assam after 1.1.1966 (inclusive) and upto 24th March, 1971 shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of The Foreigners Act, 1946, and The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964” , and their names “will be deleted from the electoral rolls in force”.
  • The same cut-off was used in updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) .
• Such persons, it was agreed, 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
  • The Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939.
• After a period of ten years from the date of detection, the names of all such persons that have been deleted from the electoral rolls shall be restored. All persons who were expelled earlier, but have since reentered illegally into Assam shall be expelled.
• As per Clause 5.8, “ Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971 shall continue to be detected, deleted and practical steps shall be taken to expel such foreigners.”

An Overview of Clause 6 of Assam Accord

• Clause 6 is about the safeguards for the Assamese people. It states that, constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards , as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
• The Assam Accord brought an end to a period of severe violence and uncertainty in the contemporary history of Assam. The agitation was spearheaded by the youth, who perceived a direct threat to their future from the illegal influx of foreigners into the state.