Assam Accord [UPSC Notes]

The Assam Accord is frequently in the news owing to its significance in the scheme of things in the northeast of the country. In this context, it is important to understand what the Assam Accord is for the UPSC exam, particularly the defence and internal security segments.

What is Assam Accord?

The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement signed by the Governments of India and Assam, and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) in New Delhi on August 15, 1985.

• The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a six-year agitation that was launched by AASU in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.

Assam Accord History

• The problem related to illegal immigrants in Assam became a cause of great concern around 1980. 
• This had led to a profound sense of apprehension regarding the continuing influx of foreign nationals into Assam and the fear of adverse effects on the political, social, cultural and economic life of the state.
• The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi began a dialogue with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), and talks were held at the levels of the PM and Home Minister during 1980-83. Formal discussions resumed in March 1985, when Rajiv Gandhi was PM.
• The Accord was finally signed later in 1985, keeping all aspects of the problem including constitutional and legal provisions, international agreements, national commitments and humanitarian considerations.

Assam Accord Provisions

What was agreed upon in this agreement: 

• Some of the important clauses of the Assam Accord are as follows:
  • Foreigners Issue (Clause 5)
  • Safeguards and Economic Development (Clauses 6 and 7)
  • Restoration of Normalcy (Clauses 13 and 14)
• In 1986, a new Department was set up in the Government of Assam, called “Implementation of Assam Accord Department”, to implement the various clauses of the Memorandum of Settlement.

Issue related to foreigners: 

• It was agreed that “for purposes of detection and deletion of foreigners, 1.1.1966 shall be the base data and year” and that “all persons who came to Assam prior to 1.1.1966, including those amongst them whose names appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections shall be regularised.”
• Foreigners who “came to Assam after 1.1.1966 (inclusive) and upto 24th March, 1971 shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of The Foreigners Act, 1946, and The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964”, and their names “will be deleted from the electoral rolls in force”.
  • The same cut-off was used in updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
• Such persons, it was agreed, 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. 
• On the expiry of a period of ten years following the date of detection, the names of all such persons that have been deleted from the electoral rolls shall be restored. All persons who were expelled earlier, but have since reentered illegally into Assam shall be expelled.
• Under Clause 5.8, “Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971 shall continue to be detected, deleted and practical steps shall be taken to expel such foreigners.”

Clause 6 of Assam Accord

• Clause 6 deals with safeguards for the Assamese people. It says that, constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
• The Assam Accord brought closure to a phase of great violence and anxiety in the modern history of Assam. The agitation was led by the youth, who saw a direct threat to their future from the illegal influx of foreigners into the state.

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