ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jun 5: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) expressed its reservation over mentioning of Chakma refugees as native of Changlang district in the recently detected COVID-19 positive cases. The union urged the state government not to count the refugees who tested COVID-19 positive as native of Arunachal Pradesh particularly of Changlang district.
Vice President AAPSU, Mije Taku categorically stated  that the union is not against the particular community and that they should be provided equal medical facilities during this pandemic, however counting them as Arunachal citizens is not at all accepted. 
"We also advise the state government to be cautious while sending COVID-19 report to the central government by not mentioning them as Arunachalee but particularly as refugees settled in Arunachal Pradesh.
This is not the right time to make any issues, however out of 28 positive cases in Changlang District most of them are stranded Chakma refugees settled in designated areas of Changlang district. As per report more people are still entering  the district, which needs to be examined properly," added Taku.
Social activist, Debia Muj who first raised voice  against the authority for using the term Arunachalee  or  native of Changlang  for the COVID-19 positive Chakma refugees, said  "When the government of Arunachal Pradesh is keeping the records District wise, they should inform the Central Government regarding the coronaviruses infected refugees  of Arunachal Pradesh. I'm not saying that the locals of Arunachal Pradesh are not infected, but a separate data regarding the locals and refugees should be maintained." 

 When we have protested against the illegal settlement of refugees in Arunachal Pradesh since 1964 in which we have lost many lives and properties, how can we call them as  locals of Arunachal Pradesh, stated  Muj.
He further, added ‘we all including the refugees in Arunachal Pradesh are fighting against this deadly virus but at the same time we should maintain and remember that the refugees should be mentioned as refugees. '
Chairperson, Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) Patey Tayum also urged the concern authority to refrain from using  Arunachalee tag or native of Changlang district against the  Chakma  refugees who have been detected COVID-19 Positive in  Changlang district. 
"As humanity, we are concerned for them and their health and whatever possible help can be provided to them. But the authority should not mention them as the native of Changlang or Arunachlee.  They maybe citizen of India in other states, but here in Arunachal they remain as refugees," stated Tayum while adding that such irresponsible move of the state government may affect the SLP filed in the Supreme Court.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Changlang stated that he cannot comment on the issue.

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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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