Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram during the signing ceremony of the tripartite MoS among the Central Government, Assam Government and United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), in New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi, November 25 (PTI): Government on Friday reached a path breaking peace pact with a prominent insurgent group in Assam under which the Karbi Anglong hill district will get more power and a Rs. 350 crore special financial package.
Describing it as a “historic” moment, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said government is ready for dialogue with any group which shuns violence and puts its demands within the framework of the Indian Constitution. “This is a historic moment....the Memorandum of Settlement will change the face of the Karbi Anglong district in all spheres,” he said in a statement.
Govt ready to talk with anyone who shuns violence: ChidambaramFriday’s agreement, signed by the representatives of the Central and Assam governments and the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), here came at the end of two-year long peace negotiations.
Under the pact, the Karbi Anglong autonomous district council will get more power and the Centre promised a special financial package of Rs. 350 crore spread over five years.
The UPDS was spearheading a violent insurgent movement in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district since its formation in 1999 till May 23, 2002 when it entered into a cease-fire agreement with the government.
“Government has always shown its willingness to enter into a dialogue with any group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place demands within the framework of the Constitution of India,” Mr. Chidambaram said after the signing of the peace pact.
Mr. Chidambaram also urged all groups in the country to give up violence and come forward to find a peaceful solution to all their perceived problems.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was also present on the occasion, said it was a significant moment for Assam, particularly for Karbi Anglong, as the pact would bring peace and development.
The Home Minister said negotiations with another Assam insurgent group Dima Halem Daouga was continuing and was near the final stage and the tripartite agreements with the outfit would be signed shortly. “Talks with ULFA and NDFB (progressive) are also continuing. Recently, we have authorised (interlocutor) P C Halder to initiate the peace process and hold talks with NDFB (Ranjan Daimary) group,” he said.
Describing it as a “historic” moment, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said government is ready for dialogue with any group which shuns violence and puts its demands within the framework of the Indian Constitution. “This is a historic moment....the Memorandum of Settlement will change the face of the Karbi Anglong district in all spheres,” he said in a statement.
Govt ready to talk with anyone who shuns violence: ChidambaramFriday’s agreement, signed by the representatives of the Central and Assam governments and the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), here came at the end of two-year long peace negotiations.
Under the pact, the Karbi Anglong autonomous district council will get more power and the Centre promised a special financial package of Rs. 350 crore spread over five years.
The UPDS was spearheading a violent insurgent movement in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district since its formation in 1999 till May 23, 2002 when it entered into a cease-fire agreement with the government.
“Government has always shown its willingness to enter into a dialogue with any group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place demands within the framework of the Constitution of India,” Mr. Chidambaram said after the signing of the peace pact.
Mr. Chidambaram also urged all groups in the country to give up violence and come forward to find a peaceful solution to all their perceived problems.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was also present on the occasion, said it was a significant moment for Assam, particularly for Karbi Anglong, as the pact would bring peace and development.
The Home Minister said negotiations with another Assam insurgent group Dima Halem Daouga was continuing and was near the final stage and the tripartite agreements with the outfit would be signed shortly. “Talks with ULFA and NDFB (progressive) are also continuing. Recently, we have authorised (interlocutor) P C Halder to initiate the peace process and hold talks with NDFB (Ranjan Daimary) group,” he said.
Salient features of the Memorandum of Settlement signed with UPDS are:
(a) Setting up of a committee under Assam Legislative Assembly as envisaged under Article 371B of the Constitution of India;
(b) Renaming of existing Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC);
(c) Increasing seats in the Council upto 50 members
(d) Setting up of Village Councils for deepening democratic process at the grass root level
(e) Transfer of additional subjects by the State of Assam to the Council along with legislation and executive powers;
(h) Measures for socio-economic, education, health, and cultural development;
(i) Special economic package of Rs.350 crore (Rs.70 cr. p.a.) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years to KAATC for identified projects;
(j) Improvement of road connectivity , water supply and supply of power in Karbi Anglong District under existing schemes;
(l) Rehabilitation of UPDS cadres; Withdrawal of cases relating to heinous crimes shall be reviewed case by case according to existing policy for withdrawal of such cases. Implementation of MoS will be reviewed periodically.
Amendments will be made in the relevant paragraphs of the Sixth Schedule for (b) to (f) above and other executive orders will be issued to implement the other provisions of MoS.
(b) Renaming of existing Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC);
(c) Increasing seats in the Council upto 50 members
(d) Setting up of Village Councils for deepening democratic process at the grass root level
(e) Transfer of additional subjects by the State of Assam to the Council along with legislation and executive powers;
(h) Measures for socio-economic, education, health, and cultural development;
(i) Special economic package of Rs.350 crore (Rs.70 cr. p.a.) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years to KAATC for identified projects;
(j) Improvement of road connectivity , water supply and supply of power in Karbi Anglong District under existing schemes;
(l) Rehabilitation of UPDS cadres; Withdrawal of cases relating to heinous crimes shall be reviewed case by case according to existing policy for withdrawal of such cases. Implementation of MoS will be reviewed periodically.
Amendments will be made in the relevant paragraphs of the Sixth Schedule for (b) to (f) above and other executive orders will be issued to implement the other provisions of MoS.
