Chakmas halt demarcation of boundary area: ADC
OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Over 100 Chakma refugees on Tuesday halted the Changlang district administration from boundary demarcation works between Newton village and Dharamapur, a Chakma settlement area, under Miao sub-division of the district.
The Chakmas, who have been encroaching upon land and river areas, gheraoed the administrative and police officers from going forward and obstructed demarcation works, Miao Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sunny K Singh said.
He added that a complaint was received from Newton villagers led by the gaon burah about encroachment by the Chakmas.
"The Chakmas reportedly have been lifting stones from the river bed which has been changing its natural course, and building houses on the river bank. Though there is a proposal to build protection wall of the river, but the river course has gone towards Newton village as per its original map," the ADC said.
"Dharampur is a settlement area which was traditionally much behind its present position as per the original map. And if allowed to continue, they might capture the river and there is possibility of erosion to threaten Newton village which was also supported by water resource department data about possibility of erosion in Newton village," Singh said, adding that the administration intended to protect the river from encroachment.
"I had decided to restrict Dharamapur settlement area. The Chakma representatives were called, but their representation had neither any fundamental logic nor legal standing. I had issued a 10-point order, including erecting 10 pillars, of which four were erected on Tuesday. But because of the melee, six could not be erected. Though I wanted to meet the Chakma headman, I was also not allowed to go," he said, adding that the administration would try again with full preparation to protect the river.
Clarifying various allegations, particularly about demarcation of political boundary of Kathal village, the ADC said that it was as per the State Government's order.
"I have been doing all duties within constitutional provisions and have no comment if anybody facing any problem with ulterior intention. It is for the State Government to act now," he added.
Chakma and Hajong refugees were settled by the Centre in Arunachal Pradesh between 1964 and 1969. The original population was around 5,000, which reportedly rose close to one lakh now. Chakmas are primarily Buddhists, while Hajongs follow customs that are a mix of Hinduism and Jainism. The two communities are in a precarious position as indigenous communities are demanding their ouster from the State.
Chakmas-Hajongs are initially residents of Chittagong Hill Tracts of erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). They had to flee when Kaptai dam project submerged their land, faced religious persecution and entered India through the then Lushai Hills district of Assam (now Mizoram).
Demanding that the State Government should resettle the Chakmas-Hajongs somewhere else, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has been spearheading mass movements since 1990s against granting of citizenship to Chakmas-Hajongs.
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