Country/entity

India
Assam

Region

Asia and Pacific

Agreement name

Karbi Anglong Agreement

Date

4 Sep 2021

Agreement status

Multiparty signed/agreed

Interim arrangement

Yes

Agreement/conflict level

Intrastate/intrastate conflict

India-Adivasi Conflicts (1955 - ) (Northeast India)

Several of seven sister states in Northeast India have had ongoing conflicts with the central Indian government, as well as among themselves following India's independence from the British Empire in 1947. Northeast India, in particular, lags behind the rest of India in infrastructure development. Tensions also exist between the various ethnic groups and Indian nationals migrated from elsewhere.

Bodoland:
The Bodo are a predominantly Christian group of about four million people living in the mountainous region of eastern Assam, India. Since 1986, the guerrilla organization – the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) – fought for independence of Bodoland. An initial truce was signed in 1989 and negotiations began with the Assam government. However, the NDFB resumed the conflict and new attempts to reach a peace settlement have not been successful. In 2005, a faction of the NDFB entered negotiations and signed a ceasefire agreement after suffering heavy losses. This splintered the NDFB and more radical factions that continue to fight.

Darjeeling:
Gorkhas in the state of West Bengal waged a guerrilla war against the central government from 1986-1988. Anti-foreign riots started in 1979 after a steady infiltration of Hindus and Muslims from other parts of Bengal. Tensions continued until the Accord of Darjeeling peace agreement was concluded in 1988. This accord provided for an autonomous Gorkha district around Darjeeling, which would remain part of West Bengal. It was implemented in The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (Amendment) Act of 1994. After 2007, a second wave of enthusiasm for Gorkhaland was revived by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, however, this time by non-violent means. Nonetheless, the introduction of Bengali into schools, raised tensions in a Nepali-speaking region and as of 2017 conflict appears to be increasing.

Hmar:
Tension in Mizoram were primarily due to political domination by the Assamese over the Mizo. The Mizo National Front was formed in 1961 in the aftermath of a devastating famine in the Mizo Hills in objection to Indian Government response, or lack of. With popular support the MNF staged an uprising in 1966, but was unable to take control. It was only in 1986 that a peace accord was signed granting Mizoram statehood and the MNF became a political party. The same year the Hmar People's Convention was formed as a political party advocating for the rights of the Hmar which were ignored by the 1986 peace accord. The movement aimed to create an autonomous state in the north of Mizoram. A 1994 agreement between the HPC and Indian government resulted in the formation of the Sinlung Hills Development Council. However, a splinter group - the Hmar People's Convention-Democracy - was formed in 1995 demanding a separate administration.

Manipur:
The Manipur insurgency is linked to national, ethnic and political identity issues that occupy many of the conflicts in India's northeast that emerged following the independence of India in 1947. Among the largest groups are the United National Liberation Front, the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the People's Liberation Army of Manipur, and the Kanleipak Communist Party. The conflict continues as of 2017.

Nagaland:
The exception is Nagaland, wherein tensions predate 1947 and the Nagas announced their intention to declare independence from Britain. Indian authorities moved troops into the region in 195. Nagaland was eventually declared a state in 1963 and an agreement, the Shillong Accord, was signed between the Naga National Council and Indian Government in 1975. In 1980 the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed due to dissatisfaction with the Shillong Accord with the aim of Naga independence. It split into two factions in 1988. Over 80 rounds of peace talks from 1999 onwards led to little until the signing of the Naga Peace Accord in 2015.

Tripura:
Tensions emerged in Tripura between Bengali-speaking settlers and local ethnic groups during the 1970s. In 1989 the National Liberation Front of Tripura was founded followed by the establishment of the All Tripura Tiger Force the next year. Whilst the Christian NLFT seeks independence from India, the Hindu ATTF's sole goal is the expulsion of all Bengali-speakers from the state.

Close

India-Adivasi Conflicts (1955 - ) (Northeast India)

Stage

Framework/substantive - comprehensive

Conflict nature

Government/territory

Peace process

India-Assam agreement

Parties

Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (M):

- Mensing Kramas (Chairman)
- Jishnu Barua (Chief Secretary. Govt of Assam)
- Piyush Goyal (Additional Secretary/NE, MHA)

Representatives of the following organisations append their signature to this agreement:


(i) Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front/ KLNLF
Pradip Terang (Chairman)


(ii) People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri/ PDCK
Kongkát Teron (Vice-Chairman)


(iii) United People's Liberation Army/ UPLA
Wellesley Terang (Chairman)


(iv) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (Ceasefire)
Sam Sing Tisso (Chaiman)


(v) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (R)
Run Rongpi (Chairman)

List of representatives of Karbi armed groups who attended the signing
of Memorandum of Settlement


(i) Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front/KLNLF
Wiling Son Phangcho (Publicity Secretary)


(ii) People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri/PDCK
Sanjit Phangcho (General Secretary)


(iii)United People's Liberation Army/UPLA
Longki Bey (General Secretary)


(iv) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (Ceasefire)
Dorsing Terang (General Secretary)



(v) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (R)
Goodwinson Kro (General Secretary)


(vi) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (M)
Men Sing Tokbi (C-in-C)

Third parties

Witnessed by:

- Tuliram Ronghang (Chief Executive Member, KAAC)
- Himanta Biswa Sarma (CM, Assam)

Signed in the presence of Shri Amit Shah (Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation)

Description

This agreement aims to set out a framework for comprehensive settlement between the Indian government, the regional Assam government and the Karbi people within Assam in recognising claims by the Karbi people to being autonomous within Assam. The agreement has territorial and economic power-sharing elements, making provision for a sub-state Karbi autonomous council establishing its governing powers and financial supports. There are also extensive development provisions for the area which also address Karbi identity and culture, defining their territorial areas and protection of their language. The agreement also addresses the rehabilitation of armed groups in the region through DDR provisions.

Agreement document

IN_210904_Karbi Anglong Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category

Page 1, 2: Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council/KAAC,
2.2 The Government of India may expedite passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 which proposes to rename the Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and increase the number of members to not more than 50, of whom, 6 members including at least 2 women members will be nominated by the Governor and the rest of the members will be elected on the basis of adult suffrage.

Women, girls and gender

Participation

Participation→Gender quotas

Page 1, 2: Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council/KAAC,
2.2 The Government of India may expedite passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 which proposes to rename the Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and increase the number of members to not more than 50, of whom, 6 members including at least 2 women members will be nominated by the Governor and the rest of the members will be elected on the basis of adult suffrage.

Equality

No specific mention.

Particular groups of women

No specific mention.

International law

No specific mention.

New institutions

No specific mention.

Violence against women

No specific mention.

Transitional justice

No specific mention.

Institutional reform

No specific mention.

Development

No specific mention.

Implementation

No specific mention.

Other

No specific mention.

Memorandum of Settlement

1. Preamble

The Government of India and the Government of Assam have

made persistent efforts in the past to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of

the Karbi people, which led to devolution of more autonomy to the Karbi

Anglong Autonomous Council and development of the area.

Notwithstanding these initiatives, organizations representing the Karbi

people continued to demand for creation of an Autonomous State under

Article 244A of the Constitution.

In an effort to find a comprehensive

and final solution to the issue, several rounds of tripartite discussions

were recently held with the leaders of Karbi armed groups as well as

elected representatives of Karbi people.

The negotiations have led to

the signing of this Memorandum of Settlement which will ensure greater

devolution of autonomy to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council;

protection of identity, language, culture, etc.

of Karbi people;

rehabilitation of cadres of the armed groups;

and focussed

development of the Council area, without affecting the territorial and

administrative integrity of Assam.

The signatory armed groups have

agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as

established by law of the land.

2. Karbi Anglong Autonomous CouncilKAAC

2.1. The Committee of the Legislative Assembly of Assam, as

envisaged under Article 371B of the Constitution, will be

constituted expeditiously.

2.2. The Government of India may expedite passage of the

Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 which proposes to

rename the Council as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial

Council and increase the number of members to not more than

50, of whom, 6 members including at least 2 women members

will be nominated by the Governor and the rest of the members

will be elected on the basis of adult suffrage.

2.3. The Government of India and the Government of Assam will take

necessary steps to reserve 34 seats for STs and 10 seats under

Open category for all communities, out of 44 elected seats in

KAAC.

2.4 The Constitution (125 Amendment) Bill 2019 proposes to

transfer a number of subjects to KAAC by amending paragraph

3A (1) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution (Annexure-I).

Necessary steps will be taken to transfer the following additional

subjects to KAAC:-

i) Implementation of schemes under rural electrification, non-

conventional energy sources, solar energy, renewable

energy and mini-hydel projects.

ii) Welfare and Development of Minority communities/Indigenous faith.

iii) ‘Medium’ to be added to 'Small, Cottage and Rural Industry

subject to the provisions of entries 7 and 52 of List I of

Schedule VII’.

iv) ‘Vocational education' to be added to 'Education that is to

say primary and secondary education, higher secondary

education including vocational training, adult education and

college education (general)’.

v) ‘Protection of Wildlife' to be added to 'Forests (other than

reserved forest)’.

2.5. The Government of India and the Government of Assam may

consider enhancing budgetary provisions for KAAC to undertake

development activities keeping in view the population and

topography of the area.

2.6. Proposed amendments to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule to

the Constitution as per the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill,

2019 will further augment the Consolidated Fund of the State to

Supplement the resources of KAAC on the basis of the

recommendations of the State Finance Commission.

2.7. Executive functions of KAAC shall be exercised through the

Principal Secretary not below the rank of Commissioner &

Secretary to the Government of Assam.

The post of Principal Secretary

be encadred.

Heads of various Departments/Directorates of KAAC shall not be below the rank of

additional Secretary to the Government of Assam.

Officers of

KAAC shall exercise administrative as well as financial powers

commensurate with their ranks.

2.8 Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the

districts within KAAC will be posted in consultation with the Chief

Executive Member of KAAC.

2.9 Deputy Commissioners of the districts within KAAC shall report to

the Chief Executive Member through the Principal Secretary in respect of

all developmental activities in their districts with regard to the responsibilities assigned to them by KAAC.

2.10.

The Government of Assam shall create a post of DIG, Police

exclusively for the Hill districts.

2.11 An institutional mechanism shall be set up to streamline

coordination between the State Government and KAAC.

The

mechanism shall be headed by the Chief Secretary, Government

of Assam, with the Principal Secretary, KAAC as its member.

The

mechanism shall periodically review (not less than once in a

quarter) the following issues in particular :

-

(a) Bills/Regulations passed by KAAC awaiting assent by the

Governor.

(b) Proposals of KAAC regarding creation of new posts and filling

up of vacant posts.

(C) Proposals of KAAC in connection with annual plan, allocation

and flow of funds, financial sanctions, utilization certificates,

etc.

(d) Proposals of KAAC regarding recruitment within its delegated

authority.

(e) Issues with regard to transfer of subjects to KAAC and powers/

functions of its functionaries.

(f) lssues with regard to local sources of revenue for KAAC

including minor minerals.

2.12.

The Government of India may consider reviewing the number of

Assembly constituencies within KAAC area through the process

of delimitation keeping in view the population and topography.

3. Issues relating to language, Identity, culture.etc.

3.1. The Government of India may refer to UPSC the demand for

exemption of ST (Hill) candidates from KAAC area from taking

one Modern Indian Language (MIL) in the Civil Services examinations conducted by UPSC.

3.2. The Government of Assam will consider favourably the proposal

of KAAC to notify Karbi as the official language of KAAC.

However, Hindi, English and Assamese shall also continue to be

used for official purposes.

3.3 Hindi, English, Assamese and other indigenous languages shall

be taught in educational institutions under KAAC.

3.4 The Government of Assam shall set up a committee to study the

demand for notifying Karbi language as an associate language in

the State.

The Committee will also recommend measures to

further strengthen and popularize Karbi language at the national

level including a suitable script in consultation with Karbi Literary

Society and other Karbi organisations.

3.5. The Government of India will examine the demand for

notifying Karbi people living outside KAAC area as ST in Assam, in

consultation with the Government of Assam.

The Government of

Assam may also consider conferring ST (Hill) status to Karbi

people living outside KAAC area.

3.6. The Government of Assam shall set up a Karbi Welfare Council

for focussed development of Karbi people living outside KAAC

area.

3.7 The Government of Assam shall promote and support the annual

Karbi Youth Festival through financial assistance.

3.8 The Government of India and the Government of Assam will take

necessary steps to set up a Karbi cultural centre at Taralangso

and an academy to promote Karbi language and culture at an

appropriate location in KAAC area.

4. Rehabilitation of armed cadres

4.1. All signatory armed groups shall abjure the path of violence,

surrender their weapons and disband their organisations within

one month of signing of the Agreement.

All camps occupied by these groups shall be vacated forthwith.

4.2 All armed groups shall submit the lists of their cadres to Addl.

DG,

special Branch, Assam within a week of the signing of the Agreement.

The names

of such cadres shall be scrutinized and verified by the Screening Committee headed by Addl.

DG,

Special Branch, Assam, before their rehabilitation.

4.3. The Committee headed by Addl.

DG, Special Branch, Assam

shall assess the rehabilitation needs of individual cadres based

on age profile, educational qualification, general area of

residence, etc.

The Committee may also involve concerned

departments of the State Government, KAAC and successful

entrepreneurs/ NGOS in the process.

4.4. The Government of India, Government of Assam and KAAC shall

take necessary measures to rehabilitate the cadres of armed

groups.

Such measures shall include (i) lump sum payment of ex-

gratia, (ii) funding economic activities through existing

Government schemes relating to fisheries, piggery, organic

farming, poultry farming, agro-based industries, etc., (

iii) trade/

vocational/ skill development training based on locally available

resources, and (iv) recruitment in appropriate Government jobs as

per eligibility.

4.5. Efforts will be made to cover the cadres of armed groups under

various ongoing government schemes for employment generation

and other benefits.

4.6. Criminal cases registered against cadres of armed groups for

non-heinous offences will be withdrawn by Govemment of Assam

as per procedure established by law.

Criminal cases registered in

connection with heinous offences will be reviewed on case to

case basis according to the existing policy on the subject.

4.7. The Government of Assam will provide financial compensation @

Rs. 5 lakhs to each of the next of kin of persons who lost their

lives in agitations related to Autonomous State demand and have

not yet been compensated in any manner.

5. Special Development Packages

5.1. The Government of India may allocate Rs.

500 crores (Rs.

100

crore per annum) for development of infrastructure in KAAC

area.

Additionally, the Government of Assam will contribute Rs.

500 crores (Rs.

100 crore per annum) for development of the

area.

Illustrative list of projects to be taken up on priority under

the special development package is appended at Annexure-ll.

5.2 Amy, Paramilitary Forces and Police shall organise special

recruitment rallies to recruit Karbi youth.

Pre-recruitment training

exercises will be organized by the agencies to facilitate the

process.

Monitoring

A Joint Monitoring Committee shall be constituted with

representatives of MHA (Gol), Government of Assam, KAAC and

the signatory armed groups to monitor implementation of this

Agreement.

The above Agreement is signed on September 4, 2021 at New

Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs and

Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.

Representatives of the following organisations append their signature to this agreement:

(i) Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front/ KLNLF

Pradip Terang (Chairman)

(ii) People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri/ PDCK

Kongkát Teron (Vice-Chairman)

(iii) United People's Liberation Army/ UPLA

Wellesley Terang (Chairman)

(iv) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (Ceasefire)

Sam Sing Tisso (Chaiman)

(v) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (R)

Run Rongpi (Chairman)

(vi) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (M)

Mensing Kramas (Chairman)

Jishnu Barua

(Chief Secretary, Govt.

of Assam)

Piyush Goyal

(Additional Secretary/NE, MHA)

Signing of the Agreement is witnessed by

Tuliram Ronghang

Chief Executive Member, KAAC

Himanta Biswa Sarma

(CM, Assam)

List of representatives of Karbi armed groups who attended the signing

of Memorandum of Settlement

(i) Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front/KLNLF

Wiling Son Phangcho (Publicity Secretary)

(ii) People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri/PDCK

Sanjit Phangcho (General Secretary)

(iii)United People's Liberation Army/UPLA

Longki Bey (General Secretary)

(iv) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (Ceasefire)

Dorsing Terang (General Secretary)

(v) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (R)

Goodwinson Kro (General Secretary)

(vi) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (M)

Men Sing Tokbi (C-in-C)

(vi) Karbi People's Liberation Tigers/KPLT (M)

Mensing Kramas (Chairman)

Jishnu Barua

(Chief Secretary, Govt.

of Assam)

Piyush Goyal

(Additional Secretary/NE, MHA)

Signing of the Agreement is witnessed by

Tuliram Ronghang

Chief Executive Member, KAAC

Himanta Biswa Sarma

(CM, Assam)