ITANAGAR, Mar 24: Taking serious exceptions to the repeated opposition by the Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) with regards to inclusion of Nari-Koyu Assembly segment in the yet to be functionalised Lower Siang District, the people of Nari-Koyu under the aegis of Ramle Banggo Welfare Society (RBWS), Ramle Banggo Social and Environment Protection Society (RBSEPS) and Ramle Banggo Student’s Union (RBSU) have vehemently opposed the AdiSU claims.

In a meeting to discuss on the same at a local hotel here in the state capital on March 23 last, the members of the said organisations along with the elite members of the concern area of Nari-Koyu took serious exception to the AdiSU claims of Nari-Koyu area being ‘traditional Adi land’ and unanimously noted that “if past historical settlement or migratory patterns are made the basis for claiming ownership of community land and subsequently, the basis for demarcation of the modern day administrative jurisdiction, it would give rise to a need for an ugly and unprecedented re-settlement arrangements in the entire Siang belts as Galos (formerly under Adi) and Adis settlement patterns have intersected on different occasions.’

Seeking to substantiate on this, members present took turns to highlight that the earlier tribal society being specifically nomadic in nature, had undergone several migration and therefore, did not stay at a particular place for much duration. Accordingly, asserting that in those course of movements, the Galos have also occupied and settled at many places like Riga, Riew, Pangin (Siang District), Bilat and Pasighat (East Siang District) among other present Adi dominated areas, the members noted that going by the AdiSU standard of opposition, Galos too could claim certain degree of ownership in the areas mentioned.

Herein, the members while claiming that, no Galo however, has made any such claims till date in the larger interest of maintaining the spirit of brotherhood as shared by the ancestors, also asserted that ‘Such issues should not be allowed to take place in a State like ours which is dominated by numerous tribes or it would create a big hollow which would disintegrate the beautiful State and that would be a bad precedent.’

Also asserting that the very process of claims and objection placed by AdiSU on determination of boundary of Lower Siang District and East Siang District speaks of immature approach, the members present in the meeting also noted that the Government is the ultimate authority for such determination and not on a forceful decision of a clan based organization which is detrimental to development of a society and a threat to communal harmony.

Meanwhile, in the light of the discussions as highlighted above, the members resolved to strongly oppose any claim on a land to be a community land that had been possessed and protected by the dwellers therein from so many generations and that, in matters related to Nari-Koyu areas, only the traditional and natural boundary at Dobu River which they claim had been agreed between people of Nari-Koyu and Adi dominated Ledum area would be recognised as the boundary.  

 Further noting that the Dharmendra Sharma led High Power Committee had never taken into account the views aired by public of Nari, Seren and Koyu areas during the public hearing at Nari ADC Office and that the hearing was so abruptly fixed at Pasighat DC Office thereby denying the participation of public from Koyu and Kora Circles, the members also resolved to oppose the HPC recommendations saying, ‘since there was no public hearing practically for upper part of Nari Koyu and assuming such illogical action as public hearing carries no meaning and Government cannot be bound to accept any report that goes against public sentiments.’

Accordingly, the members demanded on the state government to not consider any such representation of AdiSU or any other organisations regarding Lower Siang District which they claimed ‘carry communal inclination.’

Further, the members also demanded on the government ‘Not to deviate from the boundary as shown in respect of Nari Koyu Administrative Circles in the Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Organization of Districts) (Amendment) Act, 2013. (Act 2 of 2014) notified vide Notification dated 3^rd March, 2014 but instead, initiate actions for immediate functioning of Lower Siang by posting a Deputy Commissioner and a Superintendent of Police at Likabali.

 

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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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