Assam Steps Closer to Indigenous Safeguards as AASU, Govt Finalise 52 Clauses

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Monday released an official statement outlining the outcomes of its third round of crucial talks with the Assam Government on implementing the Justice (retd.) Biplab Kumar Sarma-led High-Level Committee report related to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

The meeting, held at the Koinadhara, the state guest house last November 22, 2025, was chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, was attended by senior ministers including Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora and Finance Minister Ajanta Neog and Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika.

Representing AASU were Chief Advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya, President Utpal Sarma, and General Secretary Samiran Phukan. 

The students’ body released a formal press note signed by President Utpal Sarma and General Secretary Samiran Kalita (Phukan), reiterating its demand for the “implementation of the report.”

Sub-Committee Submits Final Implementation Roadmap

Minister Atul Bora, who heads the Cabinet sub-committee responsible for drafting the implementation roadmap, confirmed that the sub-committee’s final report was submitted during the meeting.

“Today’s meaningful discussions will provide renewed momentum to the ongoing efforts toward implementing the Clauses of the Accord, thereby further strengthening our resolve to protect the interests and identity of Assam’s indigenous populace,” Bora said after the talks.

Consensus on 52 State-Level Recommendations

The Biplab Kumar Sarma Committee had identified 67 recommendations. The latest round of talks successfully reached consensus on implementing 52 of these — 40 falling fully under the State Government’s jurisdiction and 12 requiring joint action with the Centre.

Key Decisions and Major Financial Commitments

Land Rights Protection

A key decision was taken to safeguard the land rights of Assam’s indigenous people, ensuring protection for ancestral land titles.

Cultural and Literary Infrastructure Boost

• Laxminath Bezbaroa Cultural Project:
  Multi-purpose cultural complexes will be built in 12 district headquarters in the first phase with an initial budget allocation of ₹240 crore.

• Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra:
  A special corpus of ₹100 crore has been sanctioned for development. The first installment of ₹50 crore will be included in the 2025–26 State Budget. AASU will be consulted on utilisation of the fund.

• Jyoti Chitrabon Studio Revamp:
  A six-member committee—comprising three eminent cultural figures and three AASU representatives—will draft a new structural blueprint. Employees of Jyoti Chitrabon will come under the direct administrative control of the Assam Government.

• Madhupur Satra (Cooch Behar):
  The government will allocate ₹50 crore for preserving and upgrading the historic satra located in West Bengal.

• Chandrapur Heritage Project:
  A proposal of ₹102 crore has been sent to the Central Government for approval. The project will be executed by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC).

Monitoring Mechanism and Future Tripartite Talks

A review committee headed by the Assam Accord Implementation Minister will be constituted to monitor and ensure timely execution of the 52 agreed-upon decisions.

AASU also demanded that tripartite talks involving the Centre, State Government, and AASU be held before January 31, 2026, to discuss the remaining 15 recommendations that fall exclusively under the Central Government’s authority. The Chief Minister reportedly agreed to pursue this.

Sharp Divergence Over CAA

While strong consensus emerged on Clause 6-related state-level measures, the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) remained unresolved.

• AASU reiterated its demand for complete cancellation of the CAA.

• The government reaffirmed its support for implementing the Act.

No agreement was reached on this issue.

AASU Demands Tabling of Both Tiwari and Mehta Commission Reports

AASU President Utpal Sarma said that if the State Government decides to table the Tiwary Commission Report, then the Mehta Commission Report must also be presented in the Assembly.

Calling the 1983 elections “forcibly imposed on the public,” Sarma criticised the Tiwari Report as “one-sided” and stressed that the public has the right to know the findings of both commissions.

Momentum Builds, But Core Differences Remain

The consensus on implementing 52 state-level recommendations marks a significant step toward operationalising Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. However, fundamental ideological differences — particularly on the CAA and historical commission reports — continue to challenge the path to complete agreement.

Also Read: AASU Urges Assam Government to Lift Visiting Hour Restrictions at Zubeen Garg Memorial