Committed to preserving NE’s identity, Union home minister Rajnath Singh tells Rajya Sabha

GUWAHATI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that violence related to protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, reported from parts of Assam, Tripura and other northeastern states, is under control now.

The home minister said this after Congress members in the Upper House, including Bhubaneswar Kalita, insisted on a statement from him on the amendment bill, which was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

“I am in touch with the chief ministers of these states from where reports of violence during the bandh on Tuesday have come and would convene meetings soon. I assure the house that we are committed to preserving the northeast’s identify and culture...We want a peaceful situation in the northeast and are in constant touch with the state governments. We will strive to protect the identity and culture of the northeast and will take steps to address all concerns,” he said.

He added that it is not only for the migrants from these states but to ‘protect migrants of six minority communities from three nations’ and was applicable to the entire country.

The home minister said Assam was facing the problem of illegal migration for long and witnessed an agitation from 1979 to 1985 following which the Assam Accord was signed on August 15, 1985. He added that the Centre has taken concrete steps to implement the Accord, including the NRC, and has constituted a high-level committee to implement Clause 6 of the Accord.

Talking about the granting of tribal status to six communities of Assam, Singh told the house again that the interests, privileges and rights of existing tribes in Assam will be protected. On December 29, a committee appointed by the Union home ministry has given its recommendations to grant ST status to six communities of Assam. They are Tai Ahoms, Koch-Rajbongshis, Chutias, tea tribes, Morans and Mataks.

“While giving ST status to these communities, it will be ensured that the interests, rights and privileges of the existing tribes there are fully protected,” he added. The home minister further said that steps will be taken to grant ST status to Bodo Kacharis in the hill districts of Assam and Karbis in the rest of the state, besides giving more powers to autonomous district councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.