New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured a delegation of Assam for protecting the cultural, linguistic identity and heritage of all North East states including Assam, an official release of the Home Ministry said here on Monday.
The delegation led by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, senior Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other leaders of the state called on Mr Singh on Saturday to discuss the issues related to safeguards for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity and heritage of Assam and implementation of Clause-6 of the Assam Accord and issues related to grant of tribal status to six communities.
“A meeting of all Chief Ministers of North Eastern States will be convened soon to discuss about the safeguards that need to be provided for protecting the interests of these States and protecting their cultural and linguistic identity”, the Home Minister assured the delegation.
He also said that while introducing the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on January 8, he had made it abundantly clear that the Bill is not meant for the individuals belonging to six minorities who have come from one particular country. It is also not meant for individuals who are living in one particular State.
“It is a fact that Assam has borne the disproportionate burden of migration due to religious persecution in our neighbouring countries and therefore, Assam should not bear this burden alone. It is the responsibility of the entire country and the burden should also be shared by the entire country”,Mr Singh said.
Explaining the Government’s stand on Citizenship Act he said “We are committed to helping the persons belonging to six minority communities, who have been compelled to come to India because of religious persecution in the three neighbouring countries.Those who qualify for citizenship under the amended Citizenship Act would be free to reside and settle in any State”.
The Union Home Minister said the Government will also expect the recommendations of the High Powered Committee which has been set up to suggest measures for implementation of the Clause-6 of the Assam Accord. .
The action taken by the Government to set up this High Level Committee is a landmark step in the direction of preserving the cultural, linguistic identity of Assam, Mr Singh said
Many representatives of the Bodo groups including the Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Muhilary, Minister in State government Chandan Brahma, and MP Biswajit Daimary also met the Home Minister over the weekend and discussed the various outstanding demands of Bodo community.
He assured the Bodo leaders that this decision will be implemented only after ensuring that the political and employment related privileges and rights of the existing tribes in Assam are fully protected. Necessary modalities for this will be worked out by the State Governments in consultation with all the stakeholders, he added.


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