ITANAGAR, SEP 5:
The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes’ Forum (AITF) and All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) have strongly condemned the reported attack on leaders of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) at Bordumsa-Diyun in Changlang district on September 4 during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing.
In a statement on Saturday, AITF said the incident, allegedly involving Chakma and Hajong refugees, was a serious matter concerning the demographic, constitutional and political interests of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh. It described the reported violence as an attempt to marginalise the state’s indigenous population.
Following an executive virtual meeting held late on Friday night, the AITF strongly opposed any attempt to enrol refugees or other ineligible persons in the electoral rolls of Arunachal Pradesh. It stressed that the SIR exercise must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws and prescribed eligibility criteria.
AITF urged the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into the incident, identify those responsible and take appropriate legal action. It also called for adequate security for all representatives and stakeholders participating in the SIR hearing process.
AITF general secretary Dr Bengia Tada said the forum would continue to safeguard the constitutional and legitimate interests of the indigenous people of the state.
Meanwhile, in a statement, ANSU president Ashok Doka expressed concern over the September 4 incident and said any act of violence against student activists and indigenous people was “highly condemnable and unacceptable”.
The union said it was particularly concerned that an ANSU primary member, who was part of the AAPSU team, sustained injuries while performing his duties.
ANSU maintained that any attack on its primary members while serving the interests of the state and indigenous people would not be tolerated and said it would intensify its democratic movement through lawful means if such incidents continued.
Doka also cautioned the leadership of the refugee community to understand and respect the sentiments of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh and urged all sides to refrain from activities that could aggravate tensions or undermine peaceful coexistence.
Demanding an impartial investigation, ANSU said every person found involved in the alleged attack should be identified and prosecuted in accordance with law. It said appropriate legal action should also be initiated if the probe establishes that any individual or leader had organised, instigated, encouraged or led the violence.
The students’ body further called upon the Centre and the Arunachal Pradesh government to take “decisive and concrete steps” towards resolving the long-pending Chakma-Hajong refugee issue while safeguarding the constitutional and legal interests of the indigenous people of the state.
ANSU said recurring tensions surrounding the issue could not be allowed to continue indefinitely and stressed the need for a permanent, lawful and just solution in the larger interest of peace and security.
The union said it would remain vigilant and warned that any further violence or provocation would invite a strong, organised and democratic response through lawful means.
