Centre Mulls Extending ILP to Assam amid Unrest over 'CAA'

Guwahati. January 22, 2020:

Highly-placed Government sources have informed Inside Northeast that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime could soon be extended to Assam, as the Centre is mulling the move to stall the widespread protests in the State against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

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"After the Supreme Court ruling today, it has become clear that the Centre is mulling a move to implement the ILP in Assam...but now the question is, what will be the cut-off date for the domicile?", the source stated.

The ILP has been a long-standing demand of the people of Northeast India, with various organizations such as the Assam Public Works (APW) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) reiterating their demand for the implementation of the ILP in the State for several years now.

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Now, all eyes will be on the 'high-powered' committee to submit its report so that the Clause 6 of the 'Assam Accord' that talks about providing constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people, can be implemented.

The Clause 6 reads: 'Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.'

It may be mentioned here that the Chief Justice of India, talking along the lines of the petitions filed against the 'CAA', has said that that Assam and Tripura matters will be clubbed together to be dealt with separately.

"Issue notice on all matters. AG seeks time to reply. 4 weeks for reply. After that, we will list it for orders. Give us a list of all the categories of matters. Small matters we can hear in the chamber,” the CJI said as the court ended its hearing.

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