Assam: Clause 6 Panel Suggests 1951 as Cut-Off for "Indigenous" Status

Guwahati, February 17, 2020:

The committee appointed by the Home Ministry on Monday reportedly suggested 1951 as the cut-off year for defining the indigenous people of Assam while giving a green signal for the Inner Line Permit (ILP).

As per reports this step was taken by the ministry so that the illegal influx in Assam can be controlled.

Reports further state that the committee has stated the anyone who had been a resident of Assam prior to 1951, he/she along with their descendants can be considered as indigenous people of the state and there will be no barrier in terms of caste, religion, community, heritage or language. The suggestion of ILP came so that the movement of the “outsiders” in the state can be controlled.

ALSO READ: “Hagrama Mohilary Has Insulted Martyrs of Bodo Andoland,” Says Pramod Boro

Some of the members have also suggested that at least 67 per cent seats should be reserved at the Assam Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha constituencies for the indigenous people. The committee also suggested that SC and ST communities should be given 16 per cent seats.

The ILP will allow citizens of India (from outside Assam) to stay in Assam for a specific period of time. So far the ILP is applicable in four Northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Among the four Manipur is the newest addition in the ILP in December 2019 following the country wide protest against the CAA. Meghalaya is also expected to get the ILP system soon but the process is still going on.

ALSO READ: Assam: BJP Workers and AASU come to blows in Jorhat over Black Flag Protest

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) system of Manipur has come into immediate effect from February 14 onwards, one day after the launch of its online portal, manipurilponline.com.

Aimed at keeping the state away from illegal infiltration, the ILP will maintain a database of all those who travel to the state. To start with Manipur’s ILP system, the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal will be operating it using six computer systems to generate pass.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.