Chakma body seeks PM’s intervention in stopping racial profiling in Arunachal
Shillong, Dec 2: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagat in stopping the racial profiling of 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh by conducting an exclusive census only for these two communities.
The census started on December 11 with the “aim to displace and expel them from the state”, a statement by CDFI said.
On November 26, Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh notified “Census of Chakmas and Hajongs 2021” be conducted in all the Chakma/Hajong inhabited areas under his jurisdiction for report to the government on or before December 31.
“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 of India and the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ratified by India,” said activist Suhas Chakma.
CDFI urged the prime minister to fulfil the responsibility of the Centre towards the Chakmas and Hajongs as they were settled in there by the Union Government under a definite plan of rehabilitation after the 1962 Indo-China War.
