Prabajan Virodhi Manch slams Assam CM over remark on Clause 6

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM) has slammed Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement that the report of the Clause 6 Committee would not stand the scrutiny of Courts. Terming the CM's remark as unfortunate, the PVM said that it is yet another attempt to deny safeguards to indigenous people of Assam who are well on their way to becoming a minority.

"It is clear that there was never any intention of providing any safeguards to the indigenous people contrary to the mandate of the Assam Accord, the report of the Clause 6 Committee and the findings in three judgements of the Supreme Court," said PVM convenor Upamanyu Hazarika.

He said that the CM's opinion is groundless and baseless for two reasons - Firstly, his view that the Supreme Court has prescribed a ceiling of 50 per cent for reservation in employment and education is correct as far as other States are concerned but the Court has itself recognized with approval the reservation 80-90 per cent granted for indigenous people in the other Northeastern States like Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh etc.

"The Supreme Court in three successive judgements - Sarbananda Sonowal I, Sarbananda Sonowal II and Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha has given finding that the indigenous people of Assam face the threat of losing their identity in the face of Bangladeshi influx and therefore need to be protected. The tripartite Assam Accord which assures grant of safeguard to indigenous people of Assam as a compensation for having taken the burden of 23 years of additional illegal immigrants, which has also been nullified by the Chief Minister," said Hazarika.

He stressed that if the Chief Minister had any doubts, regarding the implementation of some part of the Committee's report, he could have very well sought a clarification from the distinguished legal experts in the committee, rather than voicing an opinion in the public.

Now as a Chief Minister, to give such opinions in public, not only weakens the case but is an affront and insult to the Assam Movement, Assam Accord and the sacrifices of the indigenous people in their fight for identity over the last 40 years," Hazarika added.

Also Read: Send Clause 6 Implementation Report to Centre at The Earliest: AASU to Assam Govt