Cabinet Minister Atul Bora tilling a field on Wednesday. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, June 4: Protection of the rights of the indigenous people of the State is one of the topmost priorities of the Assam government, asserted the Minister in charge of Assam Accord Implementation, Atul Bora.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Bora, who has been given the responsibility of the Assam Accord Implementation Department for the second consecutive term, said that there would be no compromise on the issue of protection of the indigenous people.
Bora said he was a soldier in the Assam agitation and thanked the Chief Minister for giving him responsibility for the Accord Implementation Department.
Minister Atul Bora said that the implementation of Justice Biplab Sarma committee report on Clause 6 of Assam Accord is vital for the protection of the rights of the indigenous people.
He pointed out that the State government has already started the process of implementing 40 of the recommendations, which fall under the purview of the State.
The matter was also recorded in the State Budget.
However, at least 15 recommendations of the committee will have to be implemented by the Central government. Bora revealed that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already taken up the matter with the Union Home Ministry.
Alleging that the Congress did nothing for the implementation of the Assam Accord, Bora said that several major steps have been taken during the tenure of the NDA government. He said that lands of the satras, which were encroached upon by suspected migrants, have been freed, and the process of deportation of illegal migrants has started.
A committee headed by Bora was formed during the previous tenure of the NDA government in the State to chalk out measures for the implementation of all the clauses of the Assam Accord.
Replying to a question on the progress made by the committee, Bora said that the discussions have been completed. Now, the decisions taken will have to be implemented on the ground, he added.