: Arunachal Pradesh today resolved to take steps to implement the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 of the Centre after due consultation with all the stakeholders.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, taking part in a government resolution brought in the Assembly by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bamang Felix, said the government would soon invite all the community-based organisations and students unions besides all political parties to have thorough discussions on the pros and cons of the policy before implementing it in the state.
The Union Home Ministry on October 20, 2014 framed the policy to provide basic facilities to the Tibetans residing in 45 settlements in ten states across the country.
Arunachal Pradesh has three Tibetan settlements
Tenzingaon in West Kameng district, Tezu in Lohit and Miao in Changlang district with a population of 7,530.
The state cabinet on August this year approved implementation of the policy which sparked widespread protest across the state from various civil societies.
Khandu said the Tibetan settlement at Miao is the oldest which was established in 1962 followed by the Tezu settlement (1964) and Tenzingaon in 1972.
"The initial population of the Tibetans was more but now it has decreased as most of the refugees have shifted to Western countries in search of jobs," the chief minister said.
Quoting a letter of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, Khandu said that the Tibetans were allowed to settle in India as honoured guests.
Responding to various objections raised by Opposition PPA members and lone Congress MLA Nabam Tuki apprehending that if the policy is adopted it could jeopardize the interest of the indigenous people, the chief minister said the Tibetans in the state are disciplined.
The policy will not only benefit the Tibetans but also safeguard the rights of the tribal people of the state as it will demarcate their status as a result of which they cannot encroach upon the rights of the indigenous people in the future, Khandu said.
Opposition Leader Takam Pario of the PPA in his deliberation suggested compilation of details of the Tibetan refugees in the state while lone Congress member and former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki asked the government to give a second thought on the resolution.
BJP member Paknga Bage suggested creating mass awareness on the policy.
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