ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Dec 16:  A delegation of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) led by its President Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai today called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu to ascertain the official status of the state government over the issue of illegal settlement of Chakma-Hajong refugees in Arunachal Pradesh following the enactment of Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
Chief Minister told the delegation that the provisions of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 will not apply to Arunachal Pradesh as the entire state is covered under the Inner Line Permit mechanism notified under the BEFR 1873 . "However, GoAP is examining the Citizenship Amendment Act and will come up with its official position at the earliest regarding it's stand on the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue." Khandu also said that ILP will be strengthened and strictly monitored and necessary instructions in this regard have already been given to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to carry out its strict implementation in the entire state. Regarding the offspring issue, Chief Minister informed that government will consult the matter with Community Based Organizations and bring it to the table in the State Legislative Assembly’s next budget session.
The outcome of the meeting was shared by AAPSU General Secretary Tobom Dai today during a press briefing here. He informed that Chief Minister has assured to respond to the concerns of the people on the status of the Chakma-Hajong refugees in a day or two after discussing the matter with Chief Secretary and Advocate General. 
Reiterating its stand on CAA, AAPSU said that they never demanded for an exemption from the Act and that they are with the North East Students’ Union in its fight against the Act. Further, referring to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s request to provide a list of Bangladeshi citizens staying illegally in India who will be allowed to return to Bangladesh, the union demanded that both the state and central governments should provide such list. “If Bangladesh is willing to take back its people then why is the central government so adamant to shelter them here,” said AAPSU Vice President M Taku. AAPSU, which has been spearheading the matter for quite a long time now has demanded that an empowered committee be constituted over the issue to bring a ‘full-proof legislation’. 
Meanwhile, NESO Chairman Samuel Jrywa who is currently camping in New Delhi has informed that the petition filed in the Supreme Court of India against the passing of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 which is now the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 has been accepted and hearing regarding the same will be held on December 18 next.

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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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