ES Reporter

 

ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) in a letter to Chief Minister Pema Khandu has appealed to resolve the Tawang Church issue within 30 days and to direct the respective district administrations to prevent activities demanding the surrender of ST certificates.

Addressing the media person at the press club here today, President, ACF, Toko Teki said that it has been a year and the three-member committee constituted on the Tawang Church issue is yet to solve the matter.

He also informed that the ACF had met with the CM and apprised about the matter and he(Khandu) had directed the committee members headed by Chairman Mama Natung to update the outcome.

While reacting on the media reports to de-list the ST status of the Tribal Christian Community by Janjati Suraksha Manch, ACF President asserted that under no circumstance anyone can delist the ST status. "In this regard, we also apprised the CM to which he also categorically said that there are no such constitutional provisions to cancel the ST status of any Christian," said the ACF President while urging the Christian community not to worry about the issue.

Teki, further claimed that for many decades there was peace & harmony in the state, but we assume that since the  BJP government came to power, involvement of outside forces is frequently trying to create disharmony amongst the peace-loving people of the state. Such demands made by some vested interest group would be harmful for the state in the days to come, he stated.

He also cautioned the outside force or groups creating disharmony in the state of legal action if they continue to create such discord by demanding de-listing of ST status of Christians.

The ACF also claimed that the majority of the district Deputy Commissioners has written letters to the PMO and state Department of Tribal Affairs to de-list the ST of the Christian community.  The forum questioned the respective DCs action on what grounds such activities are being carried out or are they being directed by the state government to do so?   

Meanwhile, ACF General Secretary, Tarh Miri said that the state is in grave danger where NGOs, from states like Madhya Pradesh under the banner of Janjati Suraksha Manch, are trying to create disharmony among the people of the state on the lines of religion.

ACF also made a clear stand that the Christian community will remain under ST status and will never in future demand for dual status. It further said that none of the Christians in the state is availing government benefits claiming one as ‘Minority’.