What is Article 244(A)?

About Article 244(A):

• It allows for creation of an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam in certain tribal areas. This region could include certain tribal areas like Karbi Anglong.
  • This provision was inserted by the Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969.
• Such autonomous state created would have its own Legislature or Council of Ministers or both. It accounts for more autonomous powers to tribal areas, 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.

History:

• 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.
• In the 1980s, this demand 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.
• 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 then central government promised more powers, including Article 244 (A).