High-level committee on Clause 6
The members of the high level committee on Assam Accord. File image

The high-level committee on Clause 6 of Assam Accord has completed its report and is now waiting for union home minister Amit Shah’s call to submit the same officially.

Talking to Northeast Now in New Delhi on Thursday, committee chairman Justice (retired) Biplab Kumar Sharma said they completed their report on February 10 and all the 14 members of the committee have signed it.

Justice Sharma said he has officially communicated to the union home ministry about the completion of the report through a letter.

“Joint secretary Satyendra Garg met me today and I have told him that the report is ready,” said Justice (retired) Sharma.

Also read: Centre’s panel on Clause 6 of Assam Accord finalises report

Sources said home minister Amit Shah is likely to receive the much-hyped report in the national capital soon.

“If we are asked to submit the report to the union home minister, we are ready,” said Justice (retired) Sharma.

Sources said the committee members may be invited to the national capital on February 20 for submitting the report to the union home minister as Shah has shown personnel interest in the matter.

It was in July last year that the union home ministry constituted the committee with 14 members.

The committee was asked to compile its report within six months, although one month has already been extended.

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord ensures protection of constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the indigenous people of Assam.

The terms and reference of the committee are to define who are the indigenous and Assamese in Assam.

“It was a herculean task and we have tried out our best to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Assam,” said Justice (retired) Sharma adding, “Assam has many communities and tribes and people of different religions.”

He said during the course of their tenure, the committee members visited seven districts across Assam including Kokrajhar, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Karbi Angling and Diphu among others.

“We have received 1,200 representations during the course of our visit to the state,” said Justice (retired) Sharma.