ITANAGAR, Aug 4: The Students' United Movement of All Arunachal (SUMAA) has rejected the demands for Mon Autonomous Region (MAR) and Patkai Autonomous District Council (PADC), reasoning they are against the interests of the indigenous population of the state.
In a release issued on Tuesday, the union termed the proposal made in the State Assembly in 2004 for creation of Mon and Patkai Autonomous District Councils as the “biggest blunder ever made in the history of Arunachal Pradesh which could disrupt its ethnic unity, harmony and stability.” “Our legislators must learn from the mistake and rectify it so that the state’s tribal communities can move forward together in harmony and integrity,” the union suggested while accusing the legislators from these belts for promoting regionalism and communalism from time to time.
SUMAA has also accused Chief Minister Pema Khandu for patronizing the MARDC agitation and appealed the Union Minister of Sports & MP Arunachal (West) Kiren Rijiju who himself belongs to the Mon belt to oppose the irrational demand and clarify in Parliament that there can be no special provision for any particular tribe or region in the state. It also reminded the minority groups that once they come under the proposed autonomous regions, the special status would lead to their further marginalization instead of addressing their welfare needs. “The system of self-governance under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution will eliminate the Panchayati Raj system and will go against the federal structure where there is a clear interdependent relationship between the Centre and the states,” the union opined.
The union has also urged the state government to pursue the issue of bringing Arunachal Pradesh under the protection of Article 371 (A) at par with the state of Nagaland with the central government and bring constitutional amendments to enhance the ambit and edge of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act,1873. SUMAA PR

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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
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