Sub-Committee on the North East Frontier (Assam) Tribal and Excluded Areas

The Sub-Committee was appointed on 27 February 1947 by the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas, at its very first meeting. Chaired by Gopinath Bordoloi, it also included two members from the North East who were not Constituent Assembly members: Rup Nath Brahma and Mayang Nokcha.

The Sub-Committee began its work with a tour of the North-East region, including visits to the Lushai Hills District, the North-Cachar Hills Sub-Division, the Mikir Hills and the Naga Hills District. At every place, they met representatives of different tribes to ascertain their views on the future administration of the region.

On the basis of their travels, the Sub-Committee prepared an extensive Report that provides an overview of the predominant tribes in the region in an anthropological tone. It recommended various administrative, economic and jurisdictional measures to protect their distinctive culture. These included setting up of District Councils and Regional Councils, autonomy to tribes to continue with their customary laws and justice systems, and protection for forests and minerals.

The Report was submitted to the Advisory Committee for its consideration on 20 July 1947, which recommended the Drafting Committee to incorporate its suggestions in the Draft Constitution.