The Centre is all set to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees who have been living in Arunachal Pradesh for more than half a century. However, citizenship will not entitle these refugees to the rights enjoyed by Scheduled Tribes in the state.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had given a three-month deadline in 2015 to the Centre to process the demand. Only about 5,000 persons of the original 14,888 persons of 2,748 refugee families settled in Arunachal between 1964 to 1969 are reportedly alive, which means most persons in the two communities were born in India and hence, qualify for Indian citizenship by birth. Stiff opposition from the state government as well as the apex student body All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union had stalled its implementation but today the SC order has been honoured.

The Chakma-Hajong refugee issue is and continues to be a very sensitive one for the local indigenous population. Natural justice demands that these migrants who were displaced from their homeland by factors beyond their control be given their rights on humanitarian grounds.

But all the same, Arunachal Pradesh with its varied yet minuscule ethnic tribes is a fragile entity. Though, the Centre’s decision will not give the Chakma-Hajong refugees APST status and land ownership rights, the fear of being outnumbered is not imaginary. Official data reveals that the number of these refugees has increased from about 5,000 in 1964-69 to 1,00,000. The state government has argued that if citizenship is granted to the refugees, it would reduce the indigenous tribal communities to a minority and deprive them of opportunities. Therefore, since 1990, the AAPSU has been demanding their ouster from the state.

 

Long and short of it is, migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. Since times immemorial, the human race has traversed thousands of kilometres from their places of origin in search of greener pastures. Throughout human history, migration has been a courageous expression of the individual’s will to overcome adversity and to live a better life. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human race and must be tackled by governments and hosts with sensitivity and humanity.

In many ways, the Centre’s decision is recognition of that human history and is recognition to the war-cry for dignity to live but be warned, the numbers game cannot be overlooked. Even though these refugees won’t be entitled to APST rights, being outnumbered and out-manoeuvred is already happening and will only increase in future.

 

 

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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