AAPSU questions Centre & state's stand on Chakma refugees

ITANAGAR, Oct 05: All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) vehemently condemns the abduction of six members of the Mishmi community from Kathan village under Lohit district on October 4, said AAPSU president Kanu Bagang.
He alleged that the people were abducted by the Shanti Vahini a militant outfit of the Chakmas.
According to Namsai ADC R K Sharma two hundred Mishmi students were picked up by the refugees while on their way to Kathan village for a social work.
He informed that six Mishmi students who were held back are safe. They were released after intervention by the police at 11.30 this morning.
Sharma further informed that six persons were kept in Anandapur under Changlang district.
The abductees are Kunang Kri, Pravin Tayeng, Bhimsi Poul, Bajongso Kri and two other names are yet to be confirmed, Bagang added.
Chakmas are never confined to their designated camps, Bagang said and added that the refugees have illegally encroached the reserved forest area and the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary over the last four years and involved themselves in criminal activities.
It is unfortunate that the state government who is aware of the situation is allowing the Chakma inhabitants to grow in numbers. The president further lamented that Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary has been destroyed.
Why is the Congress government both in the state and Centre not working for the interest of the people and safeguarding the sanctuary which is of national importance.
The abduction and murders of the local people over the years speaks of the total failure of the Central government mechanism against illegal migrants, Bagang said.
He demanded that the Chakmas be evicted from National Wildlife Sanctuary within one month. He warned that the union will take its own course of action if the government fails to fulfil the demand.
Bagang further question as to why the International Human Rights Organization support such refugees who have not only encroached the area of other indigenous tribes but have either murdered or harassed them.
He said that the lack of political will by both the state and the Central government have resulted in refugees stepping out of line against the locals.
Chakmas have failed to gain sympathy from the local populace due to their criminal based activities, the president further said.
AAPSU will never allow illegal Chakmas to settle in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, he said and added that the lacuna lies in the political leaders who cannot take a stand.
The people need to wake up and understand the situation they face today. They must also be aware of the situation they will be facing in the near future if action is not taken against the illegal migrants, Bagang said.
Foreigners abducting locals is not only humiliation to the indigenous community but also a stab on the back, general secretary Ojing Tasing said.
Both the state and central governments are not serious to solve the burning Chakma refugee issue, he added. The general secretary further demanded that the refugees be deported from Arunachal Pradesh within one month.
There are records of Chakmas killing a Circle Officer in Deban in 1996, attacked a Forest Range Officer who was on eviction drive duty in 1997 and murdered a Zilla Parishad Member in Dyiun in 2003.
Tasing questioned as to why the GOI is supporting the refugees with criminal mentality. Why is the Center insisting that Chakmas be settled in Arunachal Pradesh, he further questioned.
The general secretary also question as to why the state government is a mute spectator. AAPSU strongly protest against the illegal encroachment of Chakmas in Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary, he added.
Tasing informed that the union was still not aware if the six abductees have been released.
The general secretary also said that issue of Chakma is raised only during the state assembly election.
AAPSU hoped that the present government would find a solution and solve the vexed issue, he added.
Tasing further questioned as to why not one elected representatives have raised their concern over the refugee outfit abduction people in its own home grounds.
Arunachal Congress (AC) condemned the abduction of innocent people by the Chakmas.
AC president Er. Chau Tan Manpoong condemning the heinous act informed that the apex members of AC will be on official tour to find out the situation. He urged the people to come together and fight against the outsiders.

The Arunachal Times, 6 October 2008.