Guwahati, Sept. 5: The Assam Assembly today resumed discussion on a pending resolution opposing any move to amend Clause VI of the Assam Accord.

Taking part in the discussion on the private members' resolution brought by Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque in the last Assembly session in March this year, former chief minister and AGP legislator Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today opposed any attempt to dilute the Assam Accord of 1985 and sought its total implementation to protect the rights of the indigenous people of the state.

He said there should not be any amendment to the clause, which speaks of providing constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the indigenous Assamese people.

The clause could not be implemented yet as the government has not been able to arrive at a consensus on the definition of the Assamese people.

Mahanta recalled that former Speaker Pranab Gogoi had prepared a report on definition of 'Assamese' but it was rejected by the previous Tarun Gogoi government.

AGP MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita suggested that Pranab Gogoi's report could be taken as the basis for finalising the definition of Assamese people through all-party meeting and wide-ranging consultations.

Khaleque had moved the resolution in the last Assembly session after a section of intellectuals called for replacing the phrase 'indigenous Assamese' with 'indigenous people' in Clause VI.

Khaleque had said ensuring constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people is a must but at the same time it should also be ensured that no genuine Indian citizen is harassed in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants.

Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed expressed apprehension that by referring to 'indigenous people', a section of people could be trying to exclude a particular community.

He said Adivasis and Muslims who were brought to Assam by the British from central Indian states and erstwhile East Bengal should not be looked upon with suspicion and their right to live with dignity should also be protected.

Ahmed said it is quite obvious the indigenous communities feel that rapid population increase among a 'particular community' could threaten their identity and existence and the government should take steps to address it.

He said lack of education is particularly responsible for population explosion and the government should improve the literacy rate and socio-economic condition of that community.

The discussion will resume on Friday after which the government will reply.