New Delhi : Bringing yet another ray of hope for peace in Assam, the Central and State government will sign a peace accord with five Adivasi militant organizations in New Delhi on Thursday evening. The peace accord will be signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, leaders of Adivasi militant organization along with Adivasi civil society members, the peace pact will highlight the inclusive development in Assam with special emphasis to the Adivasi community.
Top government sources told ANI that the agreement will be signed after 5 pm this evening at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The peace agreement is expected to be signed by the Central government, Assam government and five rebel outfits of Assam- All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force and Adivasi People's Army.
An official privy to the development told ETV Bharat that a time bound financial package of Rs 1000 crore will be announced for an overall development of the Adivasi community. Accordingly, Rs 500 crore will be provided by the Centre and the similar amount will be provided by the Assam government. As many as 16 leaders from rebel groups and Adivasi civil society will sign the peace deal that incorporates the government's commitment to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Adivasi community in Assam. Getting the ST tag was a long pending demand of the Adivasi community of the State.
Officials said the tripartite agreement is expected to be signed with these five tribal outfit groups which are currently under a ceasefire deal with the government. These Assam tribal outfit groups have been in a ceasefire after announcing the suspension of operation years ago and have been holding peace talks thereafter.
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However, over a hundred cadres of these groups are now temporarily living in designated camps under the protection of the Assam police.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with senior officials in the Assam government will be present during the signing of the agreement. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other senior officials concerned will also be present during the signing of the agreement, which aims to bring peace to Assam and the Northeast.
Meanwhile, the Assam CM will meet the members of the five militant outfits at Assam House this afternoon before heading to the Ministry of Home Affairs for signing the historical agreement. Earlier, the Assam CM had held a meeting with rebel Adivasi groups regarding the final settlement which is currently under a ceasefire.
Union Home Minister Shah in January 2020 also presided over the signing of a historic agreement between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and Bodo representatives in New Delhi to end the over 50-year-old Bodo crisis that has cost the region over 4,000 lives.
After the agreement, a total of 1,615 cadres of three National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) factions laid down their arms on January 30, 2020. Over 4,800 weapons, including AK 47 rifles, light-machine guns and stun guns, were laid down by the NDFB members on the occasion.
