113 Re Proclamation [9JUN1980] Under Article 356 114
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113 Re Proclamation [9JUN1980] under Article 356 114 (SHRI YOGENDRA MAKWANA): I beg to move: "That this House approves the continuance in force of the Procla- mation issued by the President on the 12th December, 1979, under article 356 of the Constitution in relation to the State of Assam, for a further period of six months with effect from the 12th June, 1980." Development in Assam, particu- larly the growing violence there has caused us great concern and distress. As you are aware, the all-party appeal issued on the 1st March, 1980 asking the agitators to withdraw the agitation and create an atmosphere conducive to funding a practical solu- tion to the problem of Assam, was not heeded to. SHRI JAGDISH PRASAD MATH- UR (Uttar Pradesh) Sir, ------------ MR. CHAIRMAN: This will not be recorded. DR. M. M. S. SIDDHU (Uttar Pra- desh): Point of order, Sir. MR. CHAIRMAN: There is no point of order. DR. M. M. S. SIDDHU: I have been rising on a point of order again I am sorry, no reply will foe given. and again. I cannot catch your, eye or ear. SHRI JAGDISH PRASAD MATH- MR. CHAIRMAN: What is the UR (Uttar Pradesh): Sir... point of order? MR. CHAIRMAN; This will not be DR. M. M. S. SIDDHU: Either recorded. Anything said about it will I am allowed to speak or allowed not not fo recorded. Yes, Mr. Makwana. e to speak. (SHRI JAGDISH PRASAD MATH- UR continued to speak). MR. CHAIRMAN: You speak on STATUTORY RESOLUTION SEEK- your point of order. ING APPROVAL OF PROCLAMA- TION ISSUE UNDER ARTICLE 356 DR. M. M. S. SIDDHU: When the OF THE CONSTITUTION, IN first hon. Member proceeded on his RELATION TO STATE OF ASSAM. question with a long introduction, you were pleased to say that it would not go on record. Sir, this THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE is a procedure of the House MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS that anything which is not parliamen- tary, which has not been allowed by you, shall not go on record. But if a 115 Re Proclamation [RAJYASABHA] under Article 356 116 [Dr. M. M. S. Siddhu] in the North-eastern region also made question hag been put in the usual an appeal for withdrawing the agita- course, as has been the practice in the tion as the agitation has resulted in a Rajya Sabha so far—and that was the great set-back to the economic deve- very practice which you followed lopment of the entire region. Sir, later on in this very Question Hour— however, the All Assam Students' then propriety demands, and I submit Union and the All Assam Gana San- to you, Sir, that you may revise your gram Parishad remained adamant. On decision. This is what I say because the other hand, an ultimatum was served that if by the 15th May no this is not a matter. ..(Interruption). Let me complete. Thig is not a matter solution was found, they would resort where it can be said "This part will to direct action. Sir, our information go,, this part will not go." The proce- is that volunteer camps are being dure is quite clear on this point. Sir, organised and that such training poses and I beg of you, Sir, to revise your a great danger to communal harmony. decision. This is my submission to Even though the ultimatum had not you that the Members' rights should been implemented, the climate of not be curtailed. bitterness,, suspicion ard mistrust lias MR. CHAIRMAN: All right, I will vitiated the atmosphere in Assam make a note of it. But I may also tell giving rise to incidents of communal the hon. Member that the Question violence. Sir, we are shocked at the Hour is not intended for making long extent of violence that has gripped speeches whether as a preamble or as Assam and the tragic loss of life and a conclusion or in the middle of the property of innocent people. There question. The question must be crisp were serious communal clashes in the and to the point. If it is not to the first week of January in Kamrup dis- point and not crisp, I shall certainly trict when about 41 peisons lost their rule out both the question and the lives and about 15,000 people were preamble. (Interruption). I am very rendered homeless. Since then spora- sorry this has been going on in this dic cases of assault, intimidation and House during the la3t session. But it arson have been continuing. shall not go on now so long as I am the Chairman. Sir, during the second week of May Yes, Mr. Makwana. 1980, there were communal clashes in SHRI YOGENDRA MAKWANA: Tinsukia when five persons lost their Sir, I was giving the factg behind this. lives. On the 26th May, 1980 when As you are aware, the all-party the All Assam Minority Students' appeal issued on the 1st March, 1980 Union wanted to observe "Demand Day", violent clashes took place over asking the agitators to withdraw the 10u agitation and create an atmosphere different parts in r districts of conducive to finding a practical solu- Assam. Sir, the death toll in the tion to the problem of Assam was not recent clashes from the 26th May on- heeded to. In fact, the agitation was wards has reached a total of 49,, of intensified. The developments almost which 47 are reported to have died in up to the end of March, 1980 were police firing and the rest in mob vio- discussed in the last session of the lence. Twenty-three are still missing. House. The Prime Minister visited Assam on the 12th April, 1980 and The administration in Assam have again advised the agitators to call off been working under severe constraints. the agitation so that a beginning Instructions have been issued to the could be made in the process of detec- Assam Administration to provide full tion of foreign nationals. protection to linguistic and religious †The Vice-Chairman (Shri A. G. Kul- minorities and ensure security for all karni) in the Chair] sections of the society. The Governor The Chief Minteturs of the North- and the Principal Adviser have visit- eastern States and Union Territories ed the areas affected and all neces- 117 Re Proclamation [ 9 JUN 1980 ] under Article 356 118 sary measures have been taken to SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI (Assam): provide relief to the affected persons. Sir, before the honourable Member While appreciating the genuine grie- speaks, may I point out that this is a vances of the Assamese people we very important debate in which we must recognise that a practical -solu- would like the presence of the honour- tion as well as implementation needs able Home Minister. It may be that a proper and peaceful atmoshpere. The because... Government are conscious that the imperative need is to restore normalcy SHRI T. ALIBA IMTl (Nagaland): and accelerate the pace of develop- Mr. Vice-Chairman... ment in the entire north-eastern re- THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI gion. It was for this reason that the A. G. KULKARNI): Please take your Prime Minister decided to constitute a seat. Let Mr. Dinesh Goswami finish, Committee of Ministers to consider the various developmental aspects of SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: It may the North-Eastern region. The Com- be that because the Lok Sabha is also mittee met on the 22nd April, 1980. A debating the same issue, the Home number of decisions were taken to Minister may be present there, and expedite execution of developmental we appreciate that it will not be projects and to identify new ones. possible for him to be present in this However, progress on ground is House at the same time. But may I severely affected by the disturbed get an assurance from the honourable conditions prevailing in Assam. The Minister that the honourable Home Prime Minister convened a meeting Minister will be here to reply to the of leaders of opposition groups in debate and he will also be here for Parliament on the 31st May, 1980. A some time to listen to some of the unanimous appeal was issued by ail speeches, if it is possible for him? those attending the meeting to with- draw the agitation. The Government THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE hope that saner counsels will prevail (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE): Sir, amongst the agitators and they would the debate in the Lok Sabha cannot withdraw the agitation. The Gov- be postponed... ernment have always followed the approach of negotiation and persua- THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI sion and doors for settlement have A G. KULKARNI): The question is been kept open. whether the Home Minister will reply to the debate here. As honourable Members are aware, Assam Legislative Assembly is in SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, suspended animation. However, it we will have to readjust the timings has not been possible to intend to because a debate on the same subject instal a popular Ministry. There is is going on in the Lok Sabha also. no other alternative but to seek Let us see how it can be adjusted. approval of the House for extending What I would suggest is let us pro- the President's rule for another six ceed now and I would try to see if months. Efforts will, however, conti* we can make the Home Minister nue to explore the possibility of available here tor the reply. Let us installing a popular Ministry in see if we can adjust the timings. Assam, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI With these words Sir, I move the A.