The present area of the Council will be divided (Under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India) into 4 (Western Karbi Anglong, Central Karbi Anglong, Northern Karbi Anglong and Eastern Karbi Anglong) new administrative districts.

The creation of this Council is the highlight of the recently signed tripartite agreement among the Karbi militant outfit United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), the Assam Government and Union Government of India. Inked on November 25th at New Delhi, the Memorandum of Settlement is expected to bring peace to the Karbi hills of Assam.

The accord was signed by the UPDS Chairman Longsodar Senar, General Secretary Haren Singh Bey, C-in-C Anil Teron and Joint Secretaries Kanjan Terang and Surya Rongphar, where as the governments were represented by Union Home Joint Secretary (North East) Sambhu Singh and Assam Commissioner and Secretary (Home and Political) Jishnu Barua. The Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi were also present on the occasion and both of them hailed the accord.

Salient features of the MoS 1.    Setting up of a committee under Assam Legislative Assembly as envisaged under Article 371B of the Constitution of India 2.    Renaming of existing Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) 3.    Increasing seats in the Council upto 50 members of which 6 will be nominated by Governor for more representation (presently 30 seats out of which 4 nominated by Governor). However, proposed increase in seats from existing 26 to 44 elected seats and also nominated seats shall be applicable subsequent election to the Council due in 2016-17 or mid-term poll, if any, whichever is earlier 4.    Setting up of Village Councils for deepening democratic process at the grass root level 5.    Transfer of additional subjects by the State of Assam to the Council along with legislation and executive powers 6.    Setting up of State Finance Commission (SFC) and consideration of higher fund allocation to the Council to undertake viable activity 7.    Strict adherence to establish norms of financial management, proper audit of the accounts, etc 8.    Measures for socio-economic, education, health, and cultural development 9.    Special economic package of `350 crore (`70 cr. p.a.) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years to KAATC for identified projects 10.    Improvement of road connectivity, water supply and supply of power in Karbi Anglong District under existing schemes 11.    Providing one-time grant for capacity building in KAATC for preparation of DPR etc 12.    Rehabilitation of UPDS cadre, 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.

The new Council will get 39 additional subjects and it will be allowed to prepare its annual budget. The State Government will approve it accordingly. Moreover, the funds under the Central Government’s special package will directly go to the Council. Meanwhile, New Delhi has promised a `350 crore special financial package to the district for speedier socio-economic and educational development.

After the signing of the peace pact, P Chidambaram asserted that the ‘government has always shown its willingness to enter into a dialogue with any rebel group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place demands within the framework of the Constitution’. He also added that the peace process with other armed groups like DHD, NDBF and ULFA are moving in the right direction.

It is mentionable here that the UPDS was formed in 1999 demanding a separate state for Karbi people and soon it was engaged in violent activities. Finally the outfit came under a ceasefire agreement with the government on May 23rd, 2002 and started peace talks in 2004.

Even though the UPDS will be disbanded soon, there are two more active armed outfits namely Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers and Karbi Longri and North Cachar Liberation Front (which is under a ceasefire) in the hill district, which are still fighting for the statehood demand.

The accord was appreciated by various Karbi organizations and general people though there are apprehensions among the non-Karbi people living in the hill district. Of course, the Karbi leaders returning from New Delhi after signing the accord assured that everyone would be provided respectful space for their life and livelihood.

EP Desk