New Delhi: On Saturday, the Central government signed the Karbi Anglong Agreement and has promised to fulfil all the conditions within the designated time frame as laid out in the agreement. This has opened the doors to long-lasting peace and development in the district of Karbi Anglong.
Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, also shared that about 1000 crores will be spent by the Assam government for the development of Karbi Anglong in the next five years. Shah also added that to deliver the promises made in an agreement before the end of the tenure is the policy of Narendra Modi's government.
He said, "The Karbi Anglong Agreement will be written in golden words in history of Karbi region and Assam. Today, around 1000 cadres of more than 5 organizations have joined the mainstream, shunning arms. The Central and Assam governments are fully committed to their rehabilitation."
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that efforts will be made by the state government to rehabilitate 1000 militants that will surrender with more than 300 sophisticated arms. Also, reservation will be provided for the first time to the surrendered militants in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
CM Sarma said, "Over 1,000 militants will surrender under this agreement and lots of arms will be deposited. Peace will be restored. It is a very big achievement."
The Karbi Anglong Agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the representatives of Karbi militant organisations in New Delhi.
This news was also shared by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on his official Twitter handle. The tweet read, "With Team Karbi Anglong after historic peace accord. My gratitude to Adaraniya PM @narendramodi ji and Adaraniya HM @AmitShah ji."
WHAT IS KARBI ANGLONG AGREEMENT?
In February this year, 1,040 Karbi militants belonging to five outfits laid down arms before then Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to return to the mainstream.
The militants belong to the People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK), Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Karbi People's Liberation Tiger (KPLT), Kuki Liberation Front (KLF), and United Peoples Liberation Army (UPLA).
These outfits originated from the core demand of forming a separate state. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is an autonomous district council, protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Some of the demands of the militant groups are direct transfer to KAAC, reservation of seats for ST, more powers to the council, inclusion of Karbi language in the Eighth Schedule, and more MP/MLA seats, and a financial package of Rs 1,500 crore.
Now all signatory armed groups shall abjure the path of violence, surrender their weapons and disband their organizations within one month of the signing of the Agreement. All camps occupied by these groups shall be vacated forthwith.
The signing of this tripartite agreement marks the end of a decades-old crisis and ensures the territorial integrity of Assam.
Further, the GOI may allocate Rs 500 cr (Rs 100 cr per annum) for the development of infrastructure in the KAAC area. Additionally, the GOA will contribute Rs 500 cr for the development of the area.
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