Arunachal: 'Non-Cooperation Movement' Launched By Over 20,000 People Of Chakma-Hajong Communities

ITANAGAR: In Arunachal Pradesh, the Itanagar Chalo cum non-cooperation movement that Chakmas of Diyun circle initiated against the state government over the Resident proof certificate (RPC) issue has continued to gain momentum.

The All Chakma-Hajong Community-Based Organizations, under the direction of the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students' Union and the Arunachal Pradesh Hajong Students' Union, staged a rally on December 30, 2022, the eighth day of the non-cooperation movement, to express their opposition to the cancellation of Residential Proof Certificates, or RPCs, to the communities.

On the eighth day of the non-cooperation movement against the State Govt's discriminatory ban on the issuance of Residential Proof Certificates (RPCs) to Chakma and Hajong communities, all Chakma-Hajong Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) led by the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students' Union (APCSU) and Arunachal Pradesh Hajong Students' Union (APHSU), the apex bodies representing the students' fraternity

In an effort to protest the state government, more than 20,000 members of Chakma-Hajong communities from all over the state gathered. The movement was backed by inhabitants of the surrounding villages as well as students, community-based organisations, NGOs, and the general public.

The Union began the non-cooperation movement on December 23rd, 2022, as a continuation of earlier demonstrations over the Government's failure to act to reinstate the RPC, leaving the weekly markets and public offices desolate and schools empty.

Somlung Mossang, an MLA from the Diyun-Bordumsa Constituency, who was present at the protest and expressed his discontent said that the RPC issue is a real one that might have a negative impact on the Chakma-Hajongs. Additionally, he gave the demonstrators his word that he would speak with the CMO, the proper authority, as soon as possible, in order to find a peaceful resolution.

APCSU President Drishya Muni Chakma criticized the State administration and said, "The State Government has not yet addressed the problem despite several protests and memorandum submissions. APCSU would maintain its stance and unambiguously state that the union would not permit the government to succeed in its attempt to loot and crush Chakma-Hajongs and drag their existence into the ground. Until and till the Arunachal Government restores the RPC rights, the Union will keep intensifying the movement."

In contrast, Raghunath Hajong, President of the Arunachal Pradesh Hajong Students Union (APHSU), condemned the State Government's arbitrary ban on the issuance of RPCs, stating that the Chakma and Hajongs were permanently settled in Arunachal by the Central Government, given all the rights which never diluted the indigenous rights of other tribes, but today under the guise of such justifications, the Arunachal Government is taking away all. 

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