Article 244A Of The Constitution:
The demand for an autonomous state within Assam has been raised by some of the sections of the society in Assam under the provisions of Article 244A of the Constitution.
- In the 1950s, a demand for a separate hill state arose around certain sections of the tribal population of undivided Assam.
After prolonged agitations, Meghalaya gained statehood in 1972. - The leaders of the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills were also part of this movement. They were given the option to stay in Assam or join Meghalaya.
- They stayed back as the centre promised them more powers, including Article 244 (A).
- In the 1980s, the demand for more power/autonomy took the form of a movement with a number of Karbi groups resorting to violence.
- It soon became an armed separatist insurgency demanding full statehood.
Article 244A:
- Article 244(A) allows for the creation of an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam in certain tribal areas.
- It also envisages the creation of a local legislature or Council of Ministers or both to carry out local administration.
- It was Inserted into the Constitution by the Twenty-second Constitution Amendment Act, 1969.
- Article 244(A) accounts for more autonomous powers to tribal areas than the Sixth Schedule. Among these the most important power is the control over law and order.
- In Autonomous Councils under the Sixth Schedule, they do not have jurisdiction of law and order.
