ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jan 19: The United Arunachal Indigenous Peoples Forum (UAIPF) on Saturday criticised the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister’s announcement to grant Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) to few non-APST populace in Changlang, terming it unacceptable.
Affirming to fight "tooth and nail" against the decision, it called for immediate withdrawal of the statement in the interest of the indigenous people of the state.
In a press conference, UAIPF president, Laffe Paffa while expressing resentment over the development said that time and again the indigenous people of the state are being harassed on issues such as Chakma Hajong, Citizenship Bill and now this illogical announcement to grant PRC to Non APST.
"We elected the MLAs to protect our indigenous rights, land and its people and their role should be to lookout for our betterment first not pushing their selfish agenda," alleged Paffa.
He also refuted the grounds on which the state government is offering PRC saying that the claims made by the Non-APST people of Lekang area are purely baseless and goes against the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 Act.
"Issuance of PRC to Non-APSTs is a serious issue and the state government should have first consulted all stakeholders before going ahead with such decision which may trigger law and problem in near future," he asserted.
According to Paffa while Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is active, no office or government can grant Land Possession Certificate, Permanent Resident Certificate to any non-APST.
Citing more regulations which prohibit any rights to Non APST to claim PRC or rights at par with indigenous people under the BEFR 1873,Chin Hill Regulation 1896,Article 243D, the Constitution (83rd Amendment) Act 2000 etc, he urged the CM and DyCM to properly examine and study all these regulations before making any hasty decision.
He also appealed politicians not to stoop so low for political gains.
The forum further cautioned that the State government would face strong opposition if the announcement to grant PRC is not revoked immediately and it would go to any extent to press for its demands.

---

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