Assam Accord

Background and evolution

Assam has seen migration from present-day Bangladesh since colonial times, when the British encouraged settlement of farmers and tea workers. After Partition and especially during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, large numbers crossed into Assam. In 1978, by-elections in the Mangaldoi constituency revealed a sharp rise in names on the voters' list, sparking fears that indigenous Assamese would become a minority.

The AASU launched a mass movement in 1979, with protests, strikes and boycotts. It was mostly non-violent but saw tragic episodes, including the Nellie massacre of February 1983, in which more than 2,000 people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, were killed. After long negotiations, the accord was signed in 1985. The movement's leaders formed the Asom Gana Parishad, which won the state elections that year.

Key features and provisions

• Three categories of migrants: before 1966 regularised; 1966–71 detected, removed from electoral rolls for ten years, then given citizenship; after 25 March 1971 detected and expelled.
• Border security: fencing and patrolling of the border with Bangladesh.
• Clause 6: safeguards for the "cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people."
• Economic development: promises of an oil refinery, a central university and an IIT in Assam.
• Issuance of citizenship certificates: under the Citizenship Act.