Constitute high-level panel to regulate Chakma & Hajong population: AAPSU

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: AAPSU (All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union) general secretary Tobom Dai has said that a high-level committee should be constituted to regulate the population of the Chakmas and Hajongs settled in the State from 1962-1964 till now.

Addressing reporters here, the AAPSU leader also said that the deportation of Chakmas and Hajongs has been the prime demand of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, adding that the students' union -- since its inception -- has been fighting for it.

He further said that ''the recent incident at Kathan involving the Chakmas was not the only one'', adding that ''the people of the State have been facing similar issues for many decades.'' He also urged the State government to initiate steps for taking the Chakma settlers to their respective allotted area of residence.

"The individuals and the human rights organization supporting the Chakmas and the Hajongs should be aware of the problems being faced by our people. Sitting in the capital city of the country, and making statements on behalf of them is not appreciated in any way," he said.

They are immigrants and should be treated accordingly by the State government. He also said that the State government should ensure that no single area of the State is encroached upon by the Chakmas and Hajongs.

Earlier on Thursday, a meeting regarding land encroachment by the Chakma immigrants at Kathan under Lohit district was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein at the Secretariat conference hall here.

"We hope that under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the issue regarding the land encroachment by the Chakma immigrants at Kathan under Lohit district is solved at the earliest," he added.

Meanwhile, while appreciating the move of the State government for constituting a committee to demark the inter-district boundary between Changlang and Lohit, the president of AMSU (All Mishmi Students Union) Assendo Mitti also appealed to the State government to check the Chakma settlers in the Kathan area of Lohit district.

He said that due to no defined demarcation of the inter-district boundary, there are problems in executing administrative actions against the Chakma immigrants.

"The Chakmas are taking undue advantage of the poor inter-district boundary demarcation. Many times, they come over to Lohit district and settle as they wish," he said, adding that "they do this because they claim they are permitted by the Changlang district administration.

"However, when evidence is sought to corroborate their claims, the Chakmas fails to provide such proofs.

"Now, that the State government has constituted a committee to look into the matter, we hope the issue is solved. Accordingly, the State government should resettle all the Chakmas in their allotted land," he stressed.

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