Chowna Mein as Anti-Arunachal: United Arunachal Indigenous People Forum (UAIPF)
A Correspondent
ITANAGAR: Terming the Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Chowna Mein as Anti-Arunachal on his statement to issue PRC to the Non APST of Lekang Circle, the United Arunachal Indigenous People Forum (UAIPF) organized a protest rally cum Dharna here at Tennis court, Itanagar on Thursday.
The forum demanded immediate rollback of the statement by DCM and CM on granting PRC to Non APST settled in the state, to strengthen the BEFR Act 1873 for better and stronger protective measures for the welfare of the indigenous people, transparency in JHPC by including Adi Bane Kebang (ABK), Nyishi Elite Society (NES) with all other community based organization, strengthen the earlier notification to ban PRC rights to Non APST and resignation of CM and the DCM in moral ground.
Speaking to the reporters the organizing chairman of the rally Laffe Paffa said that the state government is reluctant to state that no PRC will be issued to the Non APST. He said that ministers have no right to give individual decision which concerns the future of the indigenous people of state.
“DCM has no right to decide whether to give PRC to Non APST or not just for the sake of filling his vote banks for the ensuing assembly election 2019. He along with the CM should immediately tender his resignation from the post or rollback from the statement given by them,” he said.
He also said that it’s not only about the issuing or PRC to the people of Lekang circle of Namsai district, there are many Non- APST resided in the state and what if they also start asking PRC, what then the state governments will do, he questioned.
He strongly said the people gathered today may be less in number but the whole state is against the statement by CM and DCM in specific. “We won’t let our land to be donated to the outsider as a New Year gift, if the DCM wants to give gift, and then give them shelter, food and other basic needs,” he added.
Paffa also informed that after the first protest on December 17 last, there were many calls from unknown person to him to settle down the issue. He said I have been repeatedly called by some workers of DCM to shut down the agitation and also tried to influence me with money, but I refused. “Why I should accept the money when the whole state and indigenous people rights being tried to curtail by an individual DCM not looking to the future consequences of issuing PRC,” he said.
A youth while addressing the gathering said that, “Yeh Zameen Tera Baap Ka nahi Hai” (This land is not only of your father), to which by your power can do anything as you like and wish.
“Our ancestor has taught us to protect and safeguard our rich culture, land, water and other natural resources and to which we are exactly doing right now,” he said adding that students organization AAPSU should stop nepotism and partiality to in such burning issues.
Meanwhile, a student citing the example of Tripura where the indigenous people is now being treated as minority said that, our people will never accept the granting of PRC to Non APST and won’t let Arunachal Pradesh be next Tripura.
Also Read: Government priority for all-round development: Chowna Mein
