STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI: Assam Minister Atul Bora said on Thursday that his portfolio as the Minister for Implementation of Assam Accord is a "challenge" that he has happily accepted. He thanked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for giving him the responsibility.
Bora visited the Office of the Directorate of Implementation of Assam Accord Department located in the Khanapara area of Guwahati and held a meeting with the officials.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bora said that he feels there is a lot of responsibility on him now as the Minister for Implementation of Assam Accord. He is an intrinsic part of the Assamese society and has played an active role in the Assam Movement. He was a top leader of the AASU, the key mover and shaker of the Assam Movement of 1979 against illegal foreigners in Assam.
Asked about the implementation of the Clause 6 Committee Report submitted by the high-level committee headed by Justice (retired) Biplab Kumar Sharma, Bora said that he will discuss the matter with Chief Minister Sarma. The Clause 6 Committee report was submitted to the Assam government in February 2020, but there has been no word from the Central and the State governments about its implementation. According to the Centre, it is yet to get a copy of the report. The high-level committee that was set up to look into the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord talks of constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
Bora also said that the work has started for the Swahid Smarak and Swahid Udyan (Martyr Memorial and Park) at Pachim Boragaon near Jalukbari on the outskirts of Guwahati. The project is being built at an initial cost of Rs 49 crore spread across 98 bighas of land. The government aims to complete the project on schedule.
About the list with names of people who were affected during the Assam Movement, Bora said that the government has the entire list of martyrs but it still does not have the list of those who were harassed or victimised during the agitation. Bora said that the list is available with the AASU, his department will talk to the student body about the list.
Bora added that the government is planning to compensate all those who were harassed during the Assam Movement and have not received any compensation. The government would also try to give jobs to the next of kin of Assam Movement martyrs who are yet to get, Bora further said.
Bora is also Assam Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary and Borders Protection and Development. He is a 2-time MLA from Bokakhat and once from Golaghat, and has served as the Minister for Agriculture and Veterinary in the earlier Sarbananda Sonowal government.