Assam Accord

Assam Accord Latest News

The Supreme Court recently asked the Centre if a new order allowing persecuted minorities entry to India violates the Assam Accord’s 1971 deadline.

About Assam Accord

• The Assam Accord was signed on 15th August, 1985, amongst the Union of India, the Govt. of Assam, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad. 
• The signing of the Accord brought an end to the 6-year-long agitation, the Assam Movement (1979-1985), aimed at dispelling foreigners from the state of Assam. 
• The aim of the accord was to detect and deport all immigrants in the state who had come to the territory post-24 March 1971.

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Main Provisions of Assam Accord

• It determined 1st January 1966 as the cut-off date for the purpose of detection and deletion of foreigners.
• It allowed for citizenship for all persons coming to Assam from “Specified Territory” before the cut-off date. 
• It further specifies that all persons who came to Assam prior to 1st January 1966 (inclusive) and up to 24th March 1971 (midnight) shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1939. 
  • The 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 the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939. 
  • The Assam Accord does not call for their deportation, but they were to get voting rights only after expiry of 10 years from the date of their detection or declaration as foreigner.
• Foreigners who came to Assam on or after 25th March 1971 shall continue to be detected, deleted, and expelled in accordance with law.
• Clause 6:
  • It promises to provide constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, and linguistic identity, and heritage of the Assamese people.
  • These safeguards aim to address concerns regarding the state’s demographic and cultural integrity amidst the influx of migrants.

Source: HT