New Delhi: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat against the racial profiling of 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh by conducting an exclusive census only for these two communities from December 11, 2021, with the ultimate aim to displace and expel them from the state.
On November 26, Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh notified Census of Chakmas and Hajongs 2021 to be conducted in all the Chakma/Hajong inhabited areas under his jurisdiction for the report to the government on or before December 31, 2021.
The census seeks personal information as such as bank account details, employment details and criminal cases pending, including violations of the Inner Line Permits (ILP) under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873, etc.
“This exclusive census is an act of racial profiling as only the Chakmas and Hajongs are being singled out. Arunachal Pradesh shares borders with China and Myanmar from where illegal migration of population has been taking place since independence. Further, illegal immigration and settlement of people without Inner Line Permit has been taking place regularly and their settlements are visible in most parts of Arunachal Pradesh including Namsai, Lohit and Papumpare district. Yet, the state government is only targeting the Chakmas and Hajongs in clear violations of the Constitution and the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ratified by India,” alleged Suhas Chakma of the CDFI.
“The Chakmas and Hajongs were settled by the Union of India, the competent authority, during 1964 to 1969, and, therefore, they never required ILP under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873,” he added.
He alleged that the Arunachal Pradesh government, instead of taking action against thousands of non-Chakmas and non-Hajongs residing in the state without ILP, is seeking information on the violations of the ILP from the Chakmas and Hajongs who do not require it.
“This exposes the vindictiveness of the state government against the Chakmas and Hajongs,” he added.
The CDFI said the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh are the worst victims of Partition of India and, as migrants from undivided India, the government of India has specific responsibility towards them.
The group also accused the state government of preventing social integration of the Chakmas and Hajongs.
Also read: Arunachal Governor BD Mishra asks students to become job providers
