AAPSU slams RRAG's claim over Chakma-Hajong status

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has criticized the director of New Delhi-based Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) Suhas Chakma for reportedly describing the Chakmas and Hajongs of the State as vulnerable section of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chakma had recently sought the intervention of the Prime Minister against alleged massive hunger and starvation during national lockdown among 65,875 Chakma and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh.

While observing that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh is making its best effort to reach out to all needy people without any discrimination during this hour of uncertainty, the AAPSU said, "People like Suhas Chakma and his coterie working for the Chakmas and Hajongs should stop playing the victim card every time, especially at this time of medical emergency."

Terming Chakma's statement a "blatant lie", AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai requested the Central government to constitute an independent committee along with the AAPSU and check the facilities enjoyed by the Chakma and Hajong people in the State, such as schools, public health centers, road connectivity and occupancy on land."In fact, they are enjoying and availing facilities more than some indigenous people of the State in many ways," Dai said in a statement here on Wednesday.

The apex students' body of Arunachal Pradesh also requested the State government to provide financial assistance to all those students stranded in various parts of the country who, have been left out from the assistance provided by the government.

"It has been brought to the knowledge of the Union that many students who are stranded outside the State could not avail the opportunity provided by the State government last time owing to one or other reasons," Dai pointed out.

The Union also condemned the punitive action carried out by Assam forest and administrative officials from time to time on people of the State along the inter-state boundary areas.

"When the matter of boundary issue is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, the action of Assam officials to encroach Arunachal land is unwarranted," AAPSU president Hawa Bagang said.

"If the law is applicable to the State of Arunachal Pradesh, it should also be equally same for the State of Assam. Our government should not remain a mere spectator and take the refuge of the matter being sub-judiced in the court," Bagang added.

The Union further demanded the state government to lodge FIR and also file contempt petition through its counsel without any further delay against Assam officials.

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