OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has demanded immediate identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, particularly the Chakma and Hajong communities, from the state. In an appeal to the union home affairs ministry on Monday, the apex students’ body of the state also demanded a thorough re-verification of the state’s electoral rolls.
The AAPSU organized a massive protest rally in the state capital.
The protest, joined by various community-based organisations (CBOs), district student unions (DSUs), and concerned citizens, culminated in the submission of a 12-point memorandum to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs through the state’s chief secretary.
AAPSU president Dozi Tana Tara warned that Arunachal Pradesh is on the brink of a cultural and legal crisis due to the unchecked presence of illegal immigrants.
“The presence of illegal immigrants, especially Chakma and Hajong, is not just a population issue; it’s a direct threat to our constitutional rights, tribal land ownership, and cultural identity,” Tara asserted.
“The time for complacency is over. The government must act decisively,” he said.
The students’ union alleged that while only 56 Chakma-Hajong families were initially settled in the state during the 1960s, their population has since increased significantly, with many reportedly gaining access to benefits meant exclusively for Scheduled Tribes, encroaching on community land, and violating forest regulations.
Citing a recent land dispute in Tissing-Singpho village, where a tribal woman’s property was allegedly taken over by settlers, AAPSU highlighted the growing tensions and called for immediate intervention.
“If deportation isn’t feasible, relocation to other states must be considered,” Tara said.
The memorandum also flagged concerns over violations of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, rising law and order issues, and the undocumented status of many settlers. The union also demanded a comprehensive review of all government schemes to ensure benefits are not availed of by illegal immigrants.
“This is not just our fight; it’s about safeguarding the future of Arunachal’s indigenous communities,” Tara added, urging all CBOs to remain vigilant and supportive of what the union described as an intensified democratic struggle.
AAPSU also welcomed the Centre’s recent directive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, calling it a positive step toward addressing broader immigration concerns.
Also Read: Arunachal Cabinet reviews strategic, national security significance of SUMP
Also Watch: