Will implement Article 244(A) for hill districts in Assam: Rahul Gandhi

* Article prescribes creation of an autonomous State within Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Congress on Tuesday promised to implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution to create an autonomous State comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) districts within Assam.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who couldn't address the election rallies at Haflong and Bokajan due to heavy rains and inclement weather on Tuesday afternoon, later issued a statement addressing the people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts. Gandhi said that the Congress is committed to solve the genuine demands of the ethnic communities living in the two hill districts.

"If the Congress comes to power in Assam, it will implement Article 244(A) to facilitate creation of an autonomous State within the State. The proposed autonomous State will ensure the overall development of the ethnic communities living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts," said Gandhi.

Article 244(A) prescribes the formation of an autonomous State consisting of certain tribal areas of Assam and the creation of a local legislature or Council of Ministers. There has been a demand for an autonomous State since 1986 across the three hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao.

With an aim to put pressure on the Centre to implement the Article 244(A), the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Autonomous State Demand Committee was constituted in 1986. The Article was inserted through the 22nd amendment of the Constitution in 1969.

Rahul Gandhi also promised that if the Congress comes to power it will not allow enforcement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Assam. "We will not allow the CAA enforcement since the controversial legislature is an attack on the Assam's culture, language, identity and history," added the Congress leader.

Gandhi also asserted that the Congress would be able to implement its five "Guarantees" given to the people of Assam. He pointed out that these guarantees were worked out after his party conducted study and survey of the ground realities of socio-economic life in Assam.

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