[Assam] ULFA : Demand for full autonomy of Assam/3
Chan Mahanta
cmahanta at charter.net
Sun Mar 22 16:36:43 PDT 2009
At 4:43 PM -0500 3/22/09, kamal deka wrote:
>T he theory of " privation of Bangadeshis" propounded by you really tops my
>hilarity chart.Or was it an attempt on your part to slip a levity into the
>discussion!
**** Glad I could provide something where you could find humor. The
tenor was getting awfully strident.
But I was entirely serious. People do not stream into unwelcome
environments unless there is an overwhelming need. B'deshis are
overcrowded. Most of them are agrarian, subsistence farmers. To
survive they need land. But not enough of it is there for everyone.
So they come into Assam and the contiguous regions, because there
still is public land where they can eke out a living. Often it is
land others won't settle in, like the 'chars', or other perennial
flood plains. OR inaccessible mountains. Whatever.
B'deshi privation is not a THEORY. It is a fact. And I won't make
fun of human beings struggling to survive, even though they may not
be my people. My first and foremost identity is the human one, like
it should be for all of us. The world would be a better place when it
is so.
> >The old saying ' an enemy within home is more treacherous and pernicious
>than the one without" can be applied appropiately to our present-day
>politicians.Why then blame others?
**** OK, fair enough. So how are you planning or hoping to get rid of
the enemy -within and replace it with whom you can find common cause?
Where does the enemy-within gets its power from?
**** I looked for the solution, recommendations. But there was none.
Is it because you cannot imagine it or do you want somebody else to
find it for you :-)?
>Why on earth should anyone expect an Assamese to burn midnight oil thinking
>about " privation of Bangadeshis",while he himself deals with the human
>vagaries for years?
>What can one expect from the state govt.whose very chief minister ( read
>Tarun Gogoi ) once said that the Congress is opposed to the harassing of
>genuine Indian citizens in the name of scrapping the IMDT Act, and that the
>detection of foreigners should not be left to the whims of police officers.
>Quite right,Mr.Chief minister-it should be left to the machinations of
>vote-bank politicians!!! Yet, after a couple of decades,the apex court of
>India had flushed that piece of Black legislation down the commode because
>it was not Constitutional.
>The old saying ' an enemy within home is more treacherous and pernicious
>than the one without" can be applied appropiately to our present-day
>politicians.Why then blame others?
>Have the Americans been able to stem the flow illegal immigrants? No,they
>haven't.But they,unlike us,don't live in a cloud-cuckoo- land.The Americans
>are not sitting idly thinking that the problem will vamoose by itself one
>fine day.
>WHERE ARE RAJEN KOKAIDEW/SALEH KOKADEW/SARANGAPANI? WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON
>THIS?
>Kamal
>
>
>
>
>On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 9:57 AM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> At 9:31 AM -0500 3/22/09, kamal deka wrote:
>>
>>> One should stuff that " privation of Bangladeshis" argument where the sun
>>> does not shine.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *** OK , so it be placed! Question then would be if they come to Assam
>> for its generosity? Is that it?
>> Is it a believable proposition? I do realize however that it is a
>> hyperbole train that has gone a couple of stations too far :-).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I don't yet comprehend the issue at work here.One,what is the
>>> meaning of "illegal"?I had thought that it was something not sanctioned by
>>> the laws of any sovereign state.Two,are we supposed to sit back and
>>> twiddle
>>> our thumbs while the illegals outnumber us?
>>>
>>
>>
>> *** No that is not the ONLY interpretation of the notion I put forth. But
>> let us tackle the question:
>>
>> "--are we supposed to sit back and twiddle our thumbs while the illegals
>> outnumber us? "
>>
>> Since I don't have a neat little answer like 'round them up and kick-them
> > out' or anything akin to that, what IS your solution? What do you propose
>> or recommend be done? And WHY is it not being done the way you see as the
>> right way ? Or WHO do you think or expect WILL do it your way?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> To day,my mother,brother and I
>>> occupy a house in a plot of land.Tomorrow,if Martians took over the
> >> remaining part of the land,we will be living in that compressed space.Why
>>> should anyone allow that to happen?
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *** Very touching argument no doubt. Even though I would like to pretend
>> to be left speechless, dare I mention that the law of the land ought not to
>> allow such trespass and confiscation of your ancestral property? Or is that
>> too much to ask from the mighty Indian democracy as practised by its minions
>> in Assam?
>>
>>
>> Obviously the problem is a tad bit more complicated, isn't it? So the
>> question the thinking person must raise is HOW to control the influx, so
>> that the immigrants cannot take over the land, or become part of the voting
>> citizenry, while still being able to come and perform seasonal or otherwise
>> limited time span services for which there IS a DEMAND? For IF there was no
>> such demand, the rate of migration would not be as strong.
>>
>> Indian govt. knows it too, as do its minions in Assam. But WHAT have they
>> done about it? Can anyone in his right mind even hold out a remote hope
>> they will, if they had not lifted a finger in all these decades?
>>
>> That is WHY Assam needs independence--or at least a full autonomy, to put
>> in place a SUSTAINABLE system that will stanch the flow, even though we
>> know it cannot be entirely stopped.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Of course, there must be some checks and balances.It is the bounden duty of
>>> the state govt.to ferret out such infiltrators.If ration cards and voters
>>> identity cards can be issued to those illegal aliens to enrich their
>>> vote-bank,why can't they issue multi-purpose identity cards especially in
>>> the border regions?
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Assam is already overpopulated,can she afford added burdens ?
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *** Why don't you tell us ? And see above.
>>
>>
>>
>>> By the way,the Americans had the harshest immigration policy till 1962.
>>>
>>
>>
>> *** And has it stemmed the influx of illegal immigrants?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 9:17 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> At 8:09 PM -0500 3/21/09, kamal deka wrote:
>>>>
>>>> To compare Assam with the USA as far as immigration issue is
>>>>> concerned,will
>>>>> be as good as comparing apples with oysters.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *** Not at all!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The failure on part of the USA
>>>>
>>>>> to curb the influx of illegals does not mean that Assam should allow
>>>>> Bangladeshis to cross the border freely till the indigenous people are
>>>>> completely outnumbered.If the vast, resourceful and thinly populated
>>>>> countries like the USA and Australia can have stringent immigration
>>>>> laws,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *** Of course they can and they do have stringent immigration laws. But
>>>> then why is there such a huge illegal immigration problem in the USA?
>>>> Australia is different--the oceans surrounding it makes illegal border
>>>>
>>> > crossing difficult .
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> what does Assam have so much in abundance to render her so generous?
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **** It is not about Assam's abundance but B'Desh's privation. That
>>>> simple.
>>>> Assam and the contiguous
>>>> region still has land and that is a huge incentive to migrate for those
>>>> who
>>>> have none.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> There must be checks and balances.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **** Tell us about it. So how has India performed on delivering on those
>>>> checks and balances so far?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 9:56 AM, Dilip and Dil Deka <
>>>>> dilipdeka at yahoo.com
>>>>> >wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> For whatever it is worth, this letter from Chandan Mahanta has my
>>>>>
>>>>>> support..
>>>>>> I have been trying to convey the same message over the years.
>>>>>> * Holding onto the guns with a sullen face and not talking to
> >>>>> anyone
>>>>>> including the people in Assam will not result in a solution.
>>>>>> Persistent
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> discussion and deliberation are the only viable paths.
>>>
>>>> * It is impossible to seal a border where natural barriers do
>>>>>> not
>>>>>> exist. Assam will have to learn to live with the Bangladeshi problem
> >>>>> even if
>>>>>> Assam becomes autonomous or a sovereign country.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ________________________________
>>>>>> From: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>>>>> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>>>>> world
>>>>>> <
>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: ulfa.protalk at gmail.com
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:34:21 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Assam] ULFA : Demand for full autonomy of Assam/3
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dear Friends:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> During the past several years, we here in assamnet debated over and
>>>>>> over again, your movement and your struggles for an independent
>>>>>> Assam. Over the years it became abundantly clear to me that most of
>>>>>> our friends here in this forum, in spite of their training, education
>>>>>> and accomplishments, are quite uninformed about the reasons for your
>>>>>> taking to arms in pursuit of independence for Assam.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> >We the pro-talk group
>>>>>> >temporarily suspending the armed struggle & strongly advocating and
>>>>>> demand
>>>>>> >democratic process to bring a peaceful and political solution to
>>>>>> >Assam-India's conflict and clashes between the ethnic groups and to
>>>>>> build
>>>>>> up
>>>>>> >a peaceful and prosperous Assam along with a united powerful India.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> **** Here it is important for you to explain why and how Indian
>>>>>> democracy has not performed , how your successive 'democratically'
>>>>>> elected governments were neither responsive nor able to respond to
>>>>>> your needs that ultimately led you to give up on the promise of
>>>>>> Indian democracy and finally, out of desperation , led to your taking
>>>>>> to arms.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why it is important to explain is that MOST of our people are quite
>>>>>> ignorant of these issues. The idea is to generate awareness among
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > the population and to mobilize INFORMED public opinion.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I realize it is a lot of work. But there is no short-cut to it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> **** You wrote about "temporarily suspending the armed struggle--".
>>>>>> Does that mean that you might
>>>>>> return to armed struggle? If so, should you not also explain under
>>>>>> what circumstances you may consider resorting to armed struggle?
>>>>>> That should send a signal to GoI and GoA that you are serious about
>>>>>> your wish to attempt to forge a political solution, but if it is
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > frustrated or resisted by the governments in power, you may have to
>>>>>
>>>>> return to the armed struggle, which, by all indications the people of
>>>>>> Assam ( the thinking ones anyway) do not want.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Not that I am one who believes in threatening anyone as a good way to
>>>>>> start a negotiation for attaining a political solution to a long
>>>>>> enduring conflict. But considering the history of your adversaries'
>>>>>> sincerity and their ability or willingness to effect political and
>>>>>> administrative reforms that are direly needed in Assam and the
>>>>>> surrounding region, you have little leverage left to engage them in a
>>>>>> serious dialogue, other than a concern for a resumption of violence,
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> however feeble now.
>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> The only hope for something positive and constructive will be an
>>>>>> outpouring of public opinion. That could be effected if you clearly
>>>>>> explain what you see as the problems and how they could be resolved
>>>>>> by what you propose.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As you have already noticed right in this forum, there will be those
>>>>>> who will opposed anything that they perceive as reducing Indian
>>>>>> controls over Assam's future, including contradicting their own
>>>>>> loudly proclaimed and roundly repeated positions. And they are just
> >>>>> the tips of the icebergs of the establishment in Assam, something you
>>>>>> must be well aware of.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Therefore it is of critical importance for you to :
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A: Clearly spell out what you see as problems, item by item.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> B: Explain how what you propose will help resolve them.
>>>>>>
> >>>> >>>
>>>
>>>> You must do so in simple language, understandable by ordinary people
>>>>>> ( avoid the jargon of professionals). And then go disseminate it
>>>>>> among the populace. Ultimately it is a matter of persuasion.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One thing you must be realistic about is the issue of Bangladeshis in
>>>>>> Assam: It is not something you, or your ex-comrades-in-arms who are
>>>>>> still fighting or the government of Assam, never mind who is in power
>>>>>> on a given day; the might of the Indian armed forces or even the
>>>>>> entire population of Assam unified to resist it will be able to
>>>>>> eradicate. It is much too complex an issue, the like of which even
>>>>>> the most powerful nation on earth, the USA, has not been able to
>>>>>> resolve. Ultimately we cannot and must not forget that as human
>>>>>> beings, we cannot just wish those others away who happen to be
>>>>>> different from us but who want to live too, even if by encroaching on
>>>>>> land whose boundaries we created or imagined.
>>>>>> If you dwell on this as the primary focus of your aims for Assam, you
>>>>>> are doomed at the outset. I realize it is an easy issue to generate
>>>>>> public ire with, but it is a recipe for sure failure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You must focus on issues that are very important but which have
>>>>>> achievable solutions..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Feel free to call on me if I can be of any assistance. I am no
>>>>>> expert, but I have tried to understand what has been going on and
>>>>>> what led you to take up arms and what can be done now to end it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> More later..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Chandan Mahanta
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> At 10:59 AM +0530 3/7/09, ULFA Pro-talk wrote:
>>>>>> >Dear Friends,
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >In the beginning, we convey our heartiest revolutionary greetings to
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> >members of Assamnet. We, the members of ULFA ( Pro-talk ) held a
>>>>>> meeting
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> >15th December'2008 and unanimously agreed to give up the demand of a
>>>>>> >sovereign state of Assam and demand for full autonomy within the
>>>>>> framework
>>>>>> >of Indian constitution, through a democratic and non-violent process.
>>>>>> We
>>>>>> >welcome discussion from all the Assamese people residing across the
>>>>>> globe
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> >the demand for Full Autonomy of Assam under the framework of Indian
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > >constitution. We are attaching herewith the 'Charter of Demands'
>>>>> submitted
>>>>>
>>>>> >to the Government of Indi. Also, we are attaching our Menifesto for
>>>>>> >information of all members of Assamnet. Please log on to
>>>>>> >www.sandhikhyan.orgfor updates.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Looking forward for constructive discussion and petronisation on the
>>>>>> burning
>>>>>> >issues of Assam from all the members of Assamnet.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Regards,
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Jiten Dutta
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Gen. Secy
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >ULFA (Protalk)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > >
>>>>>
>>>>> >**
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >**
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*MANIFESTO*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >(ULFA PRO-TALK)
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Historically and socially, Assam have no affinity with India &
>>>>>> >administratively and geographically apart, ethnically distinct and
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> >neglect, deprivation and apathy rowards Assam and Assamese people
>>>>>> >since 15thAugust 1947 to till to date, supports the justification of
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> >independent
>>>
>>>> >Assam. We joined the United Liberation Front of Assam to liberate
>>>>>> Assam
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> >India. After 29 years of our struggle we have painfully observed that
>>>>>> top
>>>>>> >leaders of ULFA instead of fighting for desired goals, failed to
> >>>>> safeguard
>>>>>> >the identity and the existence of indigenous people, overlooking or
>>>>>> ignoring
>>>>>> >the presence of large number of illegal immigrants ( who will become
>>>>>> >majority in next 20 years and they will conspire to merge with
>>>>>> Bangladesh
>>>>>> >through a referendum ) and involved in activities by getting
> >>>>> distracted
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> >revolutionaries ideologies. Therefore, we the pro-talk ULFA group
>>>>>> looking
>>>>>> >at the (a) global political and economic situation (b) continuous
>>>>>> threat
>>>>>> >from the neighbouring countries surrounding Assam (c) possible
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> terrorist
>>>
>>>> >attacks in Assam by anti-Indian religious and fundamentalist groups
>>>>>> (d)
>>>>>> >age-old religious and cultural ties with India; have adopted a
>>>>>> resolution
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> >favour of Full Regional Autonomy instead of independent Assam as a
>>>>>> pragmatic
>>>>>> >approach.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >During the process of making the Constitution of India a resolution
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> >adopted to make India a federal one by giving regional autonomy to
>>>>>> states
>>>>>> >but unfortunately in the subsequent period it was made a centralized
>>>>>> one,
>>>>>> >resulting in the smaller states and the small indigenous groups
>>>>>> having
>>>>>> >specific characteristics and living with dignity have suffered in the
>>>>>> hands
>>>>>> >of big ethnic groups and states by way of aggression and
>>>>>> exploitation.
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> >fallout is resentment, hostility and secessionism. We the pro-talk
>>>>>> group
>>>>>> >temporarily suspending the armed struggle & strongly advocating and
>>>>>> demand
>>>>>> >democratic process to bring a peaceful and political solution to
>>>>>> >Assam-India's conflict and clashes between the ethnic groups and to
>>>>>> build
>>>>>> up
>>>>>> >a peaceful and prosperous Assam along with a united powerful India.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >**
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Alternate to Independence*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >A full regional autonomy by enjoying all the residual powers
>>>>>> excepting
>>>>>> > defense,
>>>>>> >external affaires, communications and print mint ( by making vital
>>>>>> changes
>>>>>> >to the existing Constitution of India ) to build up a real federal
>>>>>> structure
>>>>>> >by making vital changes to the infrastructure and reorganizing the
>>>>>> states
>>>>>> >with a provision for equal rights and representation to all
>>>>>> indigenous
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> >ethnic groups. Similarly, in order to safeguard the identity and
>>>>>> existence
>>>>>> >of indigenous and ethnic groups, the federal administrative framework
>>>>>> should
>>>>>> >be used in Assam..
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Proposed administrative structure of Assam*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >To create an upper house, representing equally by all the indigenous
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> >ethnic groups. Besides all indigenous people, other people those who
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> >already settled in Assam permanently as for example Bengalis,
>>>>>> Biharis,
>>>>>> >Marwaris, Punjabis, Nepalis and tea-tribes will be considered as
>>>>>> ethnic
>>>>>> >groups and will enjoy equal representations.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > The upper house will be free to discuss,
>>>>>> determine
>>>>>> >and taking decisions on the proposed legislations and development
>>>>>> schemes
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> >Assam in the best interest of the people of Assam. The objective
>>>>>> principle
>>>>>> >of the house is to safeguard the interests of indigenous and ethnic
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > people.
>>>>>
>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. The Upper House will be constituted selecting and electing
>>>>>> number
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > representatives from all ethnic groups. Central and State
>>>>>> governments
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> > not be having the power and rights to dissolve the house. Only
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > electorates through referendum shall have the right to reject or
>>>>>> dissolve
>>>>>> > the house.
>>>>>> > 2. Small ethnic groups will be having the rights to select
> >>>>> > representatives through their socially recognized institutions
>>>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>>
>>>
>>>> > > organizations and the major ethnic groups will elect their
>>>>>
>>>>> representatives
>>>>>> > through elections.
>>>>>> > 3. All the ethnic groups shall have the right to recall or
> >>>>> replace
>>>>>> their
>>>>>> > representatives.
>>>>>> > 4. The representatives of the house will elect a leader and a
>>>>>> deputy
>>>>>> > leader. Rotation wise every ethnic group will elect a speaker and
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> deputy
>>>>>> > speaker of the house and their term will be for a period of 1
>>>>>> year.
>>>>>> > 5. The responsibilities of the representatives of upper house
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> > service- oriented nature. There shall be no provisions for salary
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > pensions but expenses relating to maintenance, medical, traveling
>>>>>> > allowances, office and its maintenance and its security shall be
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> borne
>>>
>>>> by
>>>>>> > the state government.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*The Rights and Powers of Upper House *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. Right to discuss, analyze and taking decisions on all proposed
>>>>>> laws
>>>>>> > and legislations and developmental schemes of Assam by
>>>>>> ascertaining
>>>>>> whether
>>>>>> > it is in the best interest of Assam or not and will be free to
>>>>>> amend
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> > reject such laws, legislations and schemes and such actions
>>>>>> cannot
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> > disapproved by the concerned governments.
>>>>>> > 2. The main objective of upper house is to safeguard the
>>>>>> existence
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > development of all the indigenous and ethnic groups and to
>>>>>> examine
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > proper implementations of all the laws, legislations and
>>>>>> developmental
>>>>>> > schemes.
>>>>>> > 3. It will be statutory on the part of the concerned governments
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> send
>>>>>> > the copies relating to the approval and implementation of all
>>>>>> laws,
>>>>>> > legislations and developmental schemes to the upper house.
>>>>>> > 4. Rights to amend , settle the matters relating to the disputes
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > implementation of laws, legislations, developmental schemes,
>>>>>> ethnic
>>>>>> > conflicts, boundary and other disputes with the neighbouring
>>>>>> north-eastern
>>>>>> > states on the strength of majority support of the
>>>>>> representatives.
>>>>>> It
>>>>>> shall
>>>>>> > be obligatory on the part of the concerned governments to accept
>>>>>> such
>>>>>> > amendments and advices and to implement the same
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*An administrative system based on Equal Rights, Status, and
>>>>>> Development
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> >their own land for indigenous and ethnic people.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >In the proposed regional autonomous administration, the power will be
>>>>>> >de-centralized by creating district councils and by delegating powers
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> >grass root levels. There will be zonal and village councils under
>>>>>> district
>>>>>> >councils.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > District councils will be under the complete control of the major
>>>>>> >indigenous people or groups and the other small indigenous and ethnic
>>>>>> groups
>>>>>> >will be able to assert their rights and fulfillment of their
>>>>>> aspirations
>>>>>> >through the zonal and village councils. While the implementing these
>>>>>> >provisions a situation may warrant to reorganize some districts.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >There will be no hindrances to major indigenous people or group to
>>>>>> form
>>>>>> >district councils, having a definite area of their own but the
>>>>>> splintered
>>>>>> >indigenous and ethnic groups will be able to assert their rights and
>>>>>> fulfill
>>>>>> >their aspirations through zonal and village councils.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Proposed Format of Administrative Structure Of Indigenous and Ethnic
> >>>>> >People.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*STATE GOVERNMENT*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*DISTRICT COUNCIL*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*ZONAL COUNCIL*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*VILLAGE COUNCIL*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Creation of Ethnically based Administrative System and its Rights
> >>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > >Powers*
>>>>>
>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. In every 5 years people will form districts, zonal and village
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> > councils through elections.
>>>
>>>> > 2. Every district council will be reserved for the major
>>>>>> indigenous
>>>>>> > groups and the zonal and the village councils will be reserved on
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> basis
>>>>>> > of the population composition of indigenous and ethnic people
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> their
>>>>>> > definite areas.
>>>>>> > 3. Government shall implement all the schemes through district
>>>>>> councils
>>>>>> > and similarly district council through zonal councils and zonal
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > councils
>>>>>
>>>>> > through village councils.
>>>>>> > 4. If a situation warrants, the state governments with approval
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > upper house will be free to dissolve the district council.
>>>>>> > 5. District councils will collect minimum revenue from the land,
>>>>>> > establishments and other natural resources, market and finished
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> products
>>>
>>>> > through zonal and village councils of their areas..
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL***
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >An alternative administrative system may be considered in the
>>>>>> proposed
>>>>>> >autonomous rule against the above-mentioned system.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. Under proposed autonomous state of Assam there will be a
>>>>>> district
>>>>>> > council in every district. 65% of the seats will be reserved for
>>>>>> all
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > major indigenous groups who are residing or permanently settled
>>>>>> down
>>>>>> before
>>>>>> > 1826. 20% will be reserved for all the other indigenous people
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > districts. 15% of the seats will be reserved for other ethnic
>>>>>> people.
>>>>>> 5% of
>>>>>> > the seats will be reserved for qualified persons from the origin
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> > states and foreign countries.
>>>>>> > 2. Similarly in all public and private sector institutions and
>>>>>> > organizations of the districts there shall be reservations of 60%
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > indigenous people, 35% for all other ethnic people and 5% for the
>>>>>> persons
>>>>>> > from the origin of other states and foreign countries from the
>>>>>> >same district
>>>>>> > in respect of employment.
>>>>>> > 3. Top priority should be given to the indigenous people of the
>>>>>> districts
>>>>>> > in respect to allotment of lands.
>>>>>> > 4. A sizeable share of the revenue earned by the district
>>>>>> council
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> > be utilized for the all round socio-economic development of the
>>>>>> people
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > the districts through work programmes with independent economic
>>>>>> power.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >In Assam, Karbi-Anglong and north cachar hills are enjoying the
>>>>>> status
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> >autonomous districts. Similarly the bodo-inhabited areas are being
>>>>>> >recognized as BTAD since 2001. Therefore the proposed autonomous
>>>>>> state
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> >Assam all the above-mentioned district councils will continue to
>>>>>> enjoy
>>>>>> >territorial, political status and powers. However in case of
>>>>>> necessity
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> >the betterment, developments and the rights of the people, the number
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> >representatives by changing the ratio, ( increase or decrease ), may
>>>>>> take
>>>>>> >place in respect of appointments and employments.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Rights over the Natural Resources of Assam*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. Assam government will have full rights over all the natural
> >>>>> resources
>>>>>> > of Assam including its exploration and utilization. The
>>>>>> government
>>>>>> shall
>>>>>> > seek approval for exploration and utilization of all natural
>>>>>> resources
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> > the upper house.
>>>>>> > 2. A share of dividend will be ensured to the central government
>>>>>> with
> >>>>> the
>>>>>> > approval of upper house.
>>>>>> > 3. New exploration of natural resources can be done only by
>>>>>> abiding
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > terms and conditions laid down or with the approval of upper
>>>>>> house.
>>>>>> > 4. Any big business group intending to set up industry or do
>>>>>> > business-utilizing natural resources of Assam can be established
>>>>>> only
>>>>>> by
>>>>>> > abiding the terms and conditions laid down or with approval of
>>>>>> upper
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> house.
>>>
>>>> > 5. Necessary steps will be taken to collect detailed information
>>>>>> > regarding all the natural resources of Assam by way of proper and
>>>>>> correct
>>>>>> > survey.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*New Land and Revenue Laws*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Introducing new land and revenue laws giving full rights of land to
>>>>>> the
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > >indigenous people by abolishing Assam Land and Revenue Acts of 1886
>>>>>
>>>>> >introduced by the Britishers.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. In accordance to such laws no land can be transferred or sold
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> > than the indigenous people.
>>>>>> > 2. Local people can retain their land under their occupation but
>>>>>> can
>>>>>> not
>>>>>> > transfer or sale other than the indigenous people.
>>>>>> > 3. To ensure and issue of periodic pattas to the indigenous
>>>>>> people
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > their land holdings.
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> > 4. To recover the illegally occupied ceiling surplus lands by
>>> the
>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> > > tea-estates by way of acquisition and allot the same to the
>>>>> landless
>>>>>
>>>>> tea
>>>>>> > garden workers.. In this respect 80% of the said land will be
>>>>>> kept
>>>>>> reserved
>>>>>> > for the landless tea-garden workers belonging to the tea-estates
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> where
>>>>>> > land ceiling surplus will be recovered.
>>>>>> > 5. Arrangements will be made to allot the char-areas to the
>>>>>> genuine
>>>>>> > citizens by way of proper and correct land survey. ( This will
>>>>>> check
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > illegal infiltration )
>>>>>> > 6. In consultation with the upper house the government of Assam
>>>>>> shall
>>>>>> > impose tax and collect revenues in respect of natural resources
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> its
>>>>>> > products.
>>>>>> > 7. Besides natural resources the government of Assam with
>>>>>> approval
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> > the upper house will collect revenue as fixed up through zonal
>>>>>> council
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > village councils under the district councils on other products
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> land,
>>>>>> > markets, institutions and organizations.
>>>>>> > 8. Revenue fixation will be done as per joint decision of upper
>>>>>> house
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > government of Assam and the entire share of revenue earned will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > account of the government of Assam.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Towards Safeguarding the Identity and Existence of the Indigenous
>>>>>> People*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. To identify Indian citizens and foreign nationals by preparing
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> > revised and correct National Register of Citizens on the basis of
>>>>>> NRC
>>>>>> 1951.
>>>>>> > 2. Introducing dual citizenship by issuing photo-identity cards,
>>>>>> people
>>>>>> > and groups other than indigenous and ethnic groups will be
>>>>>> restricted
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> > enjoying political powers.
>>>>>> > 3. To introduce inner-line permits.
>>>>>> > 4. Detected foreigners should be kept in the camps in specific
>>>>>> zones
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > to deport them phase wise to the country of their origin.
>>>>>> > 5. To seal the international borders completely attached to India
> >>>>> as
>>>>>> well
>>>>>> > as with the north-eastern region.
>>>>>> > 6. Arrangements should be made to deport the detected foreign
>>>>>> nationals
>>>>>> > phase wise through bi-lateral agreements with the concerned
>>>>>> countries.
>>>>>> In
>>>>>> > this respect a diplomatic measure or steps should be taken
> >>>>> against
>>>>>> probable
>>>>>> > international political reaction.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Towards Cultural development*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Culture is the refined and sophisticated shape, emerging out of all
>>>>>> mental
>>>>>> >and physical exercises for the all round development of human living.
>>>>>> To
>>>>>> >establish the people of "proposed autonomous state of Assam" as a
>>>>>> refined
>>>>>> ,
>>>>>> >culturally sophisticated race, it is essentially important to build
>>>>>> up
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> >well organized healthy rural economy. Therefore :-
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. Soil testing to be done of all lands of every zone to make
>>>>>> lands
>>>>>> > suitable and more productive for agricultural practices as per
>>>>>> >agro-climatic
>>>>>> > conditions and to make arrangements to export its products to
>>>>>> other
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> states
>>>
>>>> > as well as to the foreign countries.
>>>>>> > 2. To create a strong infrastructure and markets in every zone to
>>>>>> ensure
>>>>>> > the farmers to get remunerative prices for their agricultural
>>>>>> products
>>>>>> by
>>>>>> > way of removing middleman.
>>>>>> > 3. To restrict the import of luxurious products and priority will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> > given to the production and import of essential commodities.
>>>>>> > 4. To set up cottage industries using local and easily available
>>>>>> raw
>>>>>> > materials of agricultural and forest products to strengthen
>>>>>> economy
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > arrangements will be made for its necessary technical higher
>>>>>> >training and up
>>>>>> > to date machineries.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > > 5. Arrangements will be made ensuring availability of loans
>>>>> from
>>>>>
>>>>> > financial institutions to the youths of Assam against agriculture,
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> business
>>>
>>>> > and setting up industries.
>>>>>> > 6. To develop an Assamese culture combining all indigenous and
>>>>>> ethnic
>>>>>> art
>>>>>> > and culture. The main objective of developing a combined Assamese
>>>>>> >culture is
>>>>>> > to build a refined cultured and powerful race.
>>>>>> > 7. A strong base is to be founded to shape up a regional culture
>>>>>> by
>>>>>> > removing the social ills and combining all the finer cultural
>>>>>> elements
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > of
>>>>>
>>>>> > north-east and simultaneously to build up north-east as well as
>>>>>> Assam
>>>>>> based
>>>>>> > regional economy against major market economy.
>>>>>> > 8. A policy of technical education is to be introduced by
>>>>>> abandoning
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > spiritual and adopting a scientific approach. The prime objective
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> > policy is to make the younger generation more competent,
>>>>>> confident,
>>>>>> > pragmatic and patriot.
>>>>>> > 9. To introduce three language formula i.e, indigenous language,
>>>>>> English
>>>>>> > and Assamese as a link language. Existing Bengali and Hindi
>>>>>> medium
>>>>>> schools
>>>>>> > will continue as usual as additionally but there shall be
>>>>>> restrictions
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > opening of new schools of any other local language. ( More
>>>>>> debates
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > discussions will be required in this regard )
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Judiciary and Elections*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Election commission and judiciary will be fully autonomous bodies in
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> >proposed ' Autonomous state of Assam'. ( It will be free from
>>>>>> interventions
>>>>>> >and interference of the central and state governments ). Creation of
>>>>>> federal
>>>>>> >India will be necessarily making vital changes to the existing
>>>>>> constitution
>>>>>> >of India and simultaneously all the laws and legislations relating to
> >>>>> its
>>>>>> >institutions and organizations will also be changed in respect of
>>>>>> giving a
>>>>>> >new constitutional shape to Assam.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Natural Calamity*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >Priority is to be given for construction of small Dam's across the
> >>>>> quick
>>>>>> >flowing small rivers for generation of hydro-electric power against
>>>>>> big
>>>>>> >Dam's. Ro check land erosions and annual visiting floods, scientific
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> >technical measures are to be adopted and paralleled organizing and
>>>>>> utilizing
>>>>>> >the human resources.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Our view point : In respect of indigenous and ethnic *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. *Indigenous* : Internationally the Steve Hagner's theory in
>>>>>> regard
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> > indigenous people has been recognized widely and by the majority.
>>>>>> >Therefore,
>>>>>> > on the basis of Steve Hagner's theory the definition of
>>>>>> indigenous
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> being
>>>>>> > determined in the context of Assam from our view point. As per
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> said
>>>>>> > definition people those who were living within a definite
>>>>>> >territory prior to
>>>>>> > colonial rule or occupied by foreign powers through invasion will
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> > considered 'INDIGENOUS'. Hence as per Steve Hagner's theory, the
>>>>>> people
>>>>>> > those who were living within the territory of Assam prior to
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> British
>>>
>>>> > colonial rule will be considered as ' INDIGENOUS'
>>>>>> > 2. *Ethnic* : On the other hand from our view point, with the
>>>>>> emergence
>>>>>> > of British colonial rule to 1971 those who have migrated settled
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> > assimilated with the indigenous people will be considered as
>>>>>> ethnic
>>>>>> people.
>>>>>> > In this regard we would like to clarify that in spite of
>>>>>> tremendous
>>>>>> > controversy the 'Assam Accord 'is being accepted by the people in
>>>>>> >general in
>>>>>> > Assam. Therefore, the cut off year of determining and detection
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> foreign
>>>>>> > nationals will be 1971. The people those who have illegally
>>>>>> entered
>>>>>> after
>>>>>> > 1971 from Bangladesh and Nepal will be considered as foreign
>>>>>> nationals. On
>>>>>> > the other hand the people those who have migrated from the
>>>>>> different
>>>>>> parts
>>>>>> > of India enjoying the status and rights of citizen and settled
>>>>>> down
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> > permanently will be considered as ethnic but those who are
>>> engaged
>>>
>>>> in
>>>>>> > business and trade after 1971 will be restricted from enjoying
>>>>>> any
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> > rights and status and shall be treated as outsiders.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > > 3. *Foreign Nationals* : After 1971 those who have illegally
>>>>> entered
>>>>>
>>>>> > Assam will be considered as illegal immigrants. We reject the
>>>>>> approach
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> > ULFA considering Indian citizens along with illegal immigrants as
>>>>>> foreign
>>>>>> > nationals.
>>>>>> > 4. *Assamese* : the word Assamese has emerged out of the name of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> > land, Assam, not on the basis of language. Hence, in the land of
>>>>>> >'Assam' the
>>>>>> > word Assamese will mean all indigenous and ethnic people.
>>>>>> > 5. *Progressive Nationalism* : The tendency of denying the status
>>>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > own
>>>>>
>>>>> > characteristics of the small indigenous and ethnic groups by the
>>>>>> >major races
>>>>>> > through aggression is chauvinistic nationalism and opposed to it,
>>>>>> >adopting a
>>>>>> > policy of giving equal importance to the dignity, status , equal
>>>>>> rights,
>>>>>> > characteristics and equal development is progressive nationalism.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*Charter of Demands*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*ULFA ( PRO-TALK )*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > 1. *Full autonomy within the framework of Indian constitution.*
>>>>>> > 2. *a) In Assam Legislative Assembly, 70% of seats to be kept
> >>>>> reserved
>>>>>> > for the indigenous people.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*b) To create an Upper House comprising of indigenous and ethnic
>>>>>> people.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* 3. Sealing of Indo-Bangla border to check illegal
>>>>>> infiltration.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* 4. To detect and deport foreign nationals taking 25.03.1971
> >>>>> to
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> >the cut off year as per . *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* memorandum of understanding between AASU and government of India.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*5. To detect foreign nationals by preparing a revised national
>>>>>> >register of citizens of 1951.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*6. Detected foreign nationals to be kept in a special/specific
>>>>>> area
>>>>>> >and to deport them phase wise.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*7. To introduce dual citizenship.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*8. To introduce the system of inter-state permit.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*9. To form a border commission to find solutions of border
>>>>>> disputes
>>>>>> >of north-eastern states.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*10. To adopt a scientific approach to the flood related problems
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> >recognize floods of Assam to be a national calamity.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*11. Immediate steps should be taken to stop hydro-electric projects
>>>>>> which
>>>>>> >will cause immense damage to the state of Assam.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*12. To open and develop Stillwell Road to connect Assam with
>>>>>> south-east
>>>>>> >Asia immediately. *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*13. To have dialogue with all the insurgent groups of north-east to
>>>>>> >restore permanent peace in the region. *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*14. To declare river Brahmaputra to be a national waterway.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*15. Necessary steps should be taken by the government of India to
>>>>>> declare
>>>>>> >Majuli as a world heritage site.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>
>>>>> >>> >*16. A special task force constituted by recruiting the
>>> indigenous
>>>
>>>> people
>>>>>> >of north-east and to deploy them in the indo-Bangla border to check
>>>>>> >infiltration and safeguard the border. *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*17. To construct a seventh bridge across Brahmaputra to connect
>>>>>> >Nimatighat and Majuli.*
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >*18.. Immediate release of the four central committee leaders of
>>>>>> ULFA
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> >jail. *
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >* *
>>>>>> >_______________________________________________
>>>>>> >assam mailing list
>>>>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
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