Context: The Rengma Nagas in Assam have written to Union Home Minister demanding an autonomous district council amid a decision by the Central and the State governments to upgrade the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) into a territorial council.
Background

• With Assam government on verge of inking peace Accord with KarbiAnglong based militant outfits, NSCN-IM stated any agreement that victimize the Rengma Nagas would not be acceptable.
• The issue in focus is Karbi Anglong, erstwhile known as Rengma Hills. Rengma Hills are made the victims of aggressive influx of outsiders for vested interests.
• The Rengma Hills was partitioned in 1963 between Assam and Nagaland at the time of creation of Nagaland State.

Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council

• KAAC is an autonomous district council in the state of Assam, India for the development and protection of tribals living in area namely Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district.
• The council is constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and administratively functions under the Government of Assam.

What are such Autonomous Council?

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India allows for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions which have been given autonomy within their respective states.
• Most of these autonomous district councils are located in North East India but two are in Ladakh, a region administered by India as a union territory.
• Presently, 10 Autonomous Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura are formed by virtue of the Sixth Schedule with the rest being formed as a result of other legislation.

Powers and competencies
Under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, autonomous district councils can make laws, rules and regulations in the following areas:

• Land management; Forest management; Water resources; Agriculture and cultivation; Formation of village councils; Public health; Sanitation; Village and town level policing; Appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen; Inheritance of property; Marriage and divorce; Social customs; Money lending and trading; Mining and minerals

Judicial powers

• Autonomous district councils have powers to form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.

Taxation and revenue

• Autonomous district councils have powers to levy taxes, fees and tolls on; building and land, animals, vehicles, boats, entry of goods into the area, roads, ferries, bridges, employment and income and general taxes for the maintenance of schools and roads.