ITANAGAR, Jun 17:The All Arunachal Pradesh students’ Union (AAPSU) conducted series of meetings at Namsai and Diyun on the vexed Chakma and Hajong refugee issue. The AAPSU delegation is on a 5-day tour to the Chakma and Hajong affected areas to take stock of the ground realities and as well as to take perspectives of the indigenous people and the refugees.

The AAPSU convened a meeting on Saturday with all the stakeholders of the indigenous communities of various districts. The meeting was attended by namely Tai khampti Singpho Council, Tai Khampti Development Society, JACHIN, Singpho Development of Society, Singpho Youth Organisation, Mother Association Miao along with all the federating units of AAPSU All Namsai District Students’ Union, All Changlang District Students’ Union, All Tirap District Students’ Union, All Longding Students’ Union, All Lohit District Students’ Union, All Lower Dibang Valley District Students’ Union and community based students’ organisation namely all Bordumsa Students’ union, All Mishmi Students’ Union, All Tai Khampti Singpho students’ union along with other AAPSU activist at Namsai to draw opinions on the vexed Chakma and Hajong refugee issue.

After discussing various points the house suggested to stop the continuous unauthorised infiltration of the Chakma and Hajong. They also agreed upon distinguishing legal migrants who were brought in 1964 with other illegal migrants.

It also decided to apprise the government to appoint monitoring officers who would look into the refugee issue and to register all Chakma and Hajong families and proper cards be issued to them.

The AAPSU also convened meeting with the representatives of Chakma and Hajong refugees at Diyun community hall. General Secretary Tobom Dai reviewed the history of Chakma and Hajong which depicts their origin and asserted that they should not demand for the rights of the indigenous people of the State. He stated that the government of India is granting citizenships rights to Chakma and Hajong in other Indian States and it is a golden opportunity for the refugees to get citizenship rights but they have to leave the State.

Or else the Chakma and Hajong should live here after regulated identification of the migrants who were brought in 1964-69 in designated area as refugees, Dai said.

General Secretary of CCRCHAP, Santosh Chakma stated they want to live as citizens of the country. They would also cooperate to distinguish the refugees who were brought in 1964-69 with the other illegal migrants. He also apprised the AAPSU to appeal the state government to address the problems faced by the refugees during the flood season.

AAPSU President Hawa Bagang in his speech said that  the movement for removal of refugees is to protect the indigenous people of the State and is a question of our survival.

 

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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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