'Not-so-soft' citizenship rules to pacify Assam protesters?

GUWAHATI: In an attempt to pacify anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protesters, the Centre is likely to put in place some "not-so-soft" rules for non-Muslim illegal Bangladeshi migrants to obtain citizenship under CAA in Assam. It may also back every recommendation by a special panel for providing constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to Assamese language and culture.
A source privy to home minister Amit Shah's meeting with CM Sarbananda Sonowal and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said, "The discussion was on two issues... implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord and inclusion of some additional points exclusively of execution in the state in the rules of the Act that are being formed." "The home minister is likely to accept the recommendations on implementation of Clause 6 (of the Assam Accord). The committee will submit a report on January 15 and the members will meet Shah in New Delhi tomorrow (Sunday)," the source said.
"We will ensure Assam's interests are not hampered in any way. I have informed PM Modi and the home minister about the ongoing agitation and the aspirations, fears and feelings of the protesters," Sonowal had told TOI on January 1. Sonowal had then hinted that he would want some strict measures in place. He had said, "The number of people who will be eligible to apply will not impact the demography of the state and each applicant will be examined for eligibility."
He had also asserted that Assam will forever remain safe and secure and his government will implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord as soon as it gets recommendations of the high-powered committee. The Clause 6 of the Accord signed in 1985 between the Centre, Assam and the leaders of the six-year long anti-foreigners' protestsays "Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people." This clause has not been implemented in 34 years.
Aasu's Samujjal Bhattacharya said, "The constitutional safeguard provided by Clause 6 is due to people of Assam because we have taken the burden of illegal Bangladeshi national who have entered between 1965 and 1971, and so we need constitutional safeguard to our language and culture. But, this cannot be the bargaining point." The committee is also mandated to determine the appropriate level of reservation of seats in the assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people.