Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jul 8: In a significant development addressing one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most sensitive and long-standing concerns, Home Minister Mama Natung chaired a high-level meeting with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) to deliberate on the pressing issues of illegal immigration, deportation of illegal immigrants, land encroachment by Chakma-Hajong settlers, and the urgent need for revision of the state’s electoral rolls.
The meeting, held in Itanagar, witnessed the participation of key government functionaries including Advisor to the Home Minister Mutchu Mithi, Chief Secretary Manish Kr Gupta, senior officials from the Departments of Home and Political Affairs, ADGP, IGP, Addl PCCF, as well as the Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Forest Officers of Changlang, Lohit, Namsai, and Papum Pare districts — all districts severely affected by the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue. AAPSU’s top leadership, led by its President Tana Dozi Tara, represented the voice of the indigenous communities.
During the meeting, AAPSU reiterated its firm stand against granting any form of citizenship or land rights to the Chakma-Hajong settlers. “Tibetans are also refugees, but they remain confined within designated areas and have never or minimally interfered in the state’s political or social structure. However, Chakma-Hajong settlers have not only encroached on land but are now claiming political and social rights — a direct threat to the identity and rights of the indigenous people,” said AAPSU President Tana Dozi Tara, while strongly asserting that as long as AAPSU exists, such attempts will never succeed.
He further demanded strict implementation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives on deportation of illegal immigrants and pressed the state government to act with urgency and determination. “There are two categories within the Chakma-Hajong — the original refugees and those who have entered illegally later. The latter must be identified and deported without compromise,” Tara emphasized. 
Although no final resolution was passed during the meeting, the state government briefed AAPSU about the various steps it has already taken in response to the demands raised during the June 16 statewide protest organized by the student body. President Tara informed that AAPSU would once again engage with the government after it receives the official Minutes of the meeting.

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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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