ITANAGAR, May 22:  Days after it was reported that the Centre is all set to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees, who have been based in Arunachal Pradesh, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) which has been fighting long against the issue has strongly opposed the Centre’sdecision clearly stating that it will not tolerate any decision which would hamper the integrity, dignity and security of the indigenous people of the state.

Challenging the decision, the AAPSU said that Chakma andHajong refugees were settled in the North East Fortier Agency (NEFA) now Arunachal Pradesh in the year 1964 -1969 without the knowledge of the indigenous people of the state by the Government of India purely on temporary basis ranging from five to ten years.
Terming the exponential rise in refugee population within a short period as ‘a grave danger’, the union has demanded the government to identify the Chakmas and Hajongs who came to NEFA from 1964 to 1969 before granting citizenship rights in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to officials, the number of these refugees has increased from about 5,000 in 1964-69 to 1,00,000. 

Underscoring the need to identify genuine number of refugees who were listed by the government, President of the union, Hawa Bagang said ‘The Chakmas and Hajongs are outsiders and the application of Inner Line Regulation Act should continue and no political rights should be given to them.’ Bagang also demanded that the refugees be confined to designated area for the adequate protection to the indigenous population.

The Union also opined there should be re-constitution of High Power Committee 2010 for Chakmas and Hajongs refugee issue by Ministry of Home Affairs before taking the stand on citizenship rights. ‘The indigenous people
of the state will not tolerate any lapse on the part of the Government of India if the integrity and dignity of the people are affected,’ he said.

The AAPSU stands firm on the issue and it would go to any lengths to safeguard the sentiments of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Bagang added.

--

---

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

<< Back to News List