Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jun 16: State capital Itanagar witnessed a massive show of indigenous unity on Monday as the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) spearheaded a Mass Referendum Rally, demanding immediate and irreversible government action on the long-standing Chakma-Hajong settlement issue.
With fiery slogans and placards declaring “No More Compromise” and “Indigenous First,” the rally reverberated with emotion and defiance.
Addressing the crowd, AAPSU President Tana Dozi Tara issued a stark message to the government stating’ “We are prepared to become the next martyrs for State and AAPSU  if that’s what it takes to defend the rights of our people. This is not a protest — it’s a call for survival.”
Backed by numerous community-based organisations (CBOs) and district student unions (DSUs), the rally culminated in the submission of a 12-point memorandum to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs via the Chief Secretary and Governor of ArunachalPradesh pressing for swift measures to protect Arunachal’s tribal identity.
AAPSU is demanding, Full re-verification of Arunachal’s electoral rolls, Cabinet-sanctioned removal of all non-APST voters, Deportation of illegal immigrants including Chakma-Hajong, Tibetans, Bangaldeshi and others, as well as Robust protection of the indigenous demographic and land rights
Tara stressed that what began as a humanitarian gesture in the 1960s — resettling 56 Chakma-Hajong families — has snowballed into a grave constitutional and demographic crisis. He alleged that these communities now illegally occupy tribal lands, exploit welfare schemes meant for locals, and distort the ethnic balance, especially in Tai-Khamti and Singpho regions.
“This is a violation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Our people are becoming minorities in their own land,” President AAPSU said.
The memorandum cited specific instances of land encroachment and law-and-order breakdown, including a recent case from Tissing-Singpho, where the property of a tribal woman was reportedly seized by illegal settlers — an example AAPSU labelled as “systemic neglect.”
The union also questioned the logic behind the continued integration of illegal settlers while genuine Scheduled Tribe communities face marginalisation.
“We are not against humanity, but justice cannot be sacrificed. If deportation isn’t possible, the Centre must consider relocating them outside Arunachal. We are at a tipping point,” Tara warned.
Welcoming the Centre’s recent move to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, AAPSU called it a positive step — but emphasized that similar action is urgently required to resolve the Chakma-Hajong issue once and for all.
The rally ended on a resolute note — a declaration that this is not just a political fight but a battle for identity, land, and indigenous dignity.

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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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