Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee (ASTBAC) on Monday said the state government has directed the High Power Committee (HPC) to undertake district-wise field verification as part of the review of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates and other related issues across Arunachal Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, ASTBAC general secretary Millo Ambo said the first meeting of the HPC was held on June 25, during which it was decided that the field verification exercise would commence on July 6, beginning with Namsai district.

According to Ambo, the verification will cover the review of ST certificates, verification of Inner Line Permit (ILP) holders, identification of illegal immigrants and scrutiny of the offspring of non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) individuals. He said separate teams have been constituted to carry out the exercise in different districts.

Appealing for public cooperation, Ambo said the verification concerns the interests of the entire state and called upon citizens to support the process to ensure it is conducted fairly and transparently.

He further claimed that the committee had received complaints against several politicians and government officials, including Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, regarding their ST status. He urged those against whom complaints have been received to cooperate with the verification process and clarify their position.

Ambo also appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein to step down until the allegations regarding his alleged non-APST status are clarified.

He maintained that the verification would be carried out impartially and strictly in accordance with the law to facilitate a permanent resolution of long-pending ST-related issues.

According to the committee, the HPC has been given one-and-a-half months to complete the verification exercise and submit its report to the state government.