Exercise caution on PRC: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: While making sharp reaction to the recent state government announcement on issuance of PRC to six non-Arunachalee communities of Namsai district, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has urged the government to exercise caution.

AAPSU expressed dismay at the government’s announcement regarding the issuance of PRC to six non-Arunachalee communities of Namsai district without even finalization of the Joint High Powered Committee (JHPC) report.

In a release, the union stated that an expert committee of JHPC on PRC issue had been reconstituted under the chairmanship of Land Management Minister Nabam Rebia to specifically look into the PRC issue along with all stakeholders including AAPSU and other community based organisations of the affected areas. AAPSU president Hawa Bagang said that it is astonishing “to learn that the state government was in a hurry in announcing New Year sops even without the concern of the JHPC for PRC issue”.

The AAPSU attending the two JHPC meetings had placed its opinions as well as listened to the views of all stakeholders of the districts and the claims of the non-Arunachalees, said Bagang adding “the union had placed its positive opinion for early solution as the JHPC being represented for the interest of the State and also the collective views and ideas of all the indigenous stakeholders were taken into account.”

“Such statement on sensitive state subjects without collective opinions of all stakeholders should not have been made in haste as it is greatly in contradiction to the authority of the JHPC,” the union pointed out. It urged the government and its representatives to exercise utmost caution and refrain from “politicking” until the finalization & publication of the JHPC report.

“Arunachal Pradesh being a constitutionally protected state should take all measures before the issue of PRC to the non-Arunachalees. Without proper approach the issue of PRC may contradict with Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act 1873, enforced in the state,” the union viewed.

AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai taking note of the issue of PRC to Gorkhas of Vijaynagar strongly opposed such move of the government.

“The Gorkhas of Vijaynagar were brought to the state for a temporary settlement on lease for 30 years and the deed of agreement on lease will be over by 2020. Therefore, no inch land can be allotted to these outsiders in the state,” the union added.

Also Read: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union resents PRC to non-APSTs