The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) along with the Joint Action Committee on Chakma Hajong Issue Namsai (JACCHIN) today convened a people's referendum rally at Namsai against permanent settlement of Chakmas and Hajongs in the state.
A three-point memorandum was also submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs through Namsai DC.
The rally adopted resolutions, which include no non-native group or individuals should be granted rights of permanent settlement in Arunachal Pradesh, the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 must be strictly adhered to and the Centre along with the state government must file a curative petition in the Supreme Court without delay against its decision to grant citizenship rights to the Chakmas and Hajongs.
A mass signature campaign to protest the September 17 Supreme Court verdict of granting citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees was also conducted during the rally.
Addressing the rally, AAPSU president Kamta Lapung called for actively fighting for indigenous tribal rights.
He said it was time to act and not merely do the talking for the rights.
AAPSU general secretary Biru Nasi said if the Chakma and Hajong refugees were given citizenship, then at least one lakh persons would become part of the system and that would drastically marginalise the local indigenous populace.
He also pointed out that there were numerous communities in the state with a few thousand population, which need to be protected.
"If the government and the court do not consider this factor, then the local communities will be annihilated," Nasi said adding, the Centre did not file a review petition against the September 17 order and if it fails to file a curative petition, then that would only show that it was biased.
The AAPSU General Secretary termed the Inner Line Permit exemption for the Chakma and Hajong refugees as a medium to make them tribals in order to revoke the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
"The Supreme Court judgement did not consider the socio-economic and cultural factors. The apex court should take into account the aspirations of the Arunachalees," said member of AAPSU Core Committee on Chakma Hajong refugee issue Prof Nani Bath.
Various organisations from different districts of the state participated in the rally which started from the Poi Pee Mau Ground and culminated at the Nimki field near DIG (Eastern Zone) office.
