AAPSU stages protest over Arunachal ‘offspring issue’

The All Arunachal Pradesh Student’s Union (AAPSU) on Tuesday took to the streets of Itanagar at the “half-hearted attempts” of Department of Social Justice & Empowerment & Tribal Affairs (SJETA) over the ‘offspring issue’ in the state.

Student organisations organised a sit-in dharna outside the office of deputy commissioners of all districts in the state over the government’s alleged delay in coming out with a draft form of the legislation proposed by the students’ union in 2018.

Three student unions namely All Lower Subansiri District Student’s Union (ALDSU), All Yachuli Students Union (AYSU) and the community based Apatani Student’s Union (ASU) staged a dharna at Ziro district’s Mini Secretariat.

A student organization also staged protest in Pasighat district in support of AAPSU, whereas the All lower youth community, All lower Siang District Law Students Union, Ramle Bango Students Union, Kangku Circle Students Union, Galo youth organisation Lsd, among others, jointly organised a dharna in Likabali.

The AAPSU has been demanding a permanent solution to the matter of an offspring born to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) woman from Arunachal and a non-tribal man enjoying ST benefits in the state.

The union had earlier rejected the draft provided by the Secretary of Social Justice Empowerment & Tribal Affairs (SJETA) in the matter, while reasoning that “it had nothing for the protection of the indigenous people”.

The AAPSU had also served a two-week ultimatum for correction after which a meeting was scheduled to be held on September 29. The meeting has now been postponed for October 8.

Also read: Arunachal offspring issue: AAPSU warns of protests across state