Rono Hills: A symposium on the topic, ‘The Chakma issue in Arunachal Pradesh: Search for a democratic solution,’ was postponed on Tuesday following alleged disruption by the All-Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU).
The session was organised by the Rajiv Gandhi University’s (RGU) Department of Political Science at the mini auditorium of the university here.
Speaking to the reporters later, AAPSU general secretary Ritum Tali said the union will always suppress the voices of those who try to influence the minds of the youths of the state through such platforms.
He said that any discussion relating to Chakma and Hajongs in the state will not be allowed without prior consultation with the APPSU.
Tali further added that the union will never allow any organisation or individuals from the state to organise such an event in the future too.
“The youths should understand that AAPSU has been fighting for the Chakma and Hajong issue for decades. And the fight is for the security and integrity of the indigenous of our state,” he said.
The APPSU leader said the union did not create any nuisance during the event but asked the organisers to skip the session.
Tali also informed that the AAPSU has already had talks with the union government on the Chakma and Hajong issue and organising such events without informing the union will not be accepted.
“The issue is rooted in the sentiments of locals. It can ignite serious implications in the state through such talks. Maybe the reasons for organising the event by the university were positive. But we will not allow such events to try to influence our people,” he said.
Denying to comment on the act of disruption by AAPSU, one of the speakers, Bamang Tago said that they had missed a great opportunity to listen to the other side of the Chakma community on such a platform. He said the issue should be discussed to bring a permanent solution.
Tago is a member of the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC).
Social activist from the state, Jarjum Ete also said that solutions to Chakma and Hajong issues can only be resolved through such dialogues. She also added that a humanitarian approach should be brought to solve the decade-long issue and the platform was one of the opportunities.
The representatives from the Chakma community for the event were Chakma Rights and Development Organisation (CRDO) president Mahendra Chakma and Dr Gautam Chakma from Tripura University.
The day was also set to witness the inauguration of a book titled ‘From India to India: The Chakma and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh written by RGU professor Nani Bath.
Swift resolution vital: Responding to the agitation, Dr Bath expressed displeasure at the AAPSU’s reaction to the academic programme.
He, however, acknowledged the sentiments of AAPSU members and announced the postponement of the session.
While addressing the issue, Dr Bath highlighted the complexities surrounding the Chakma and Hajong communities, noting that the matter has remained unresolved for six decades.
He emphasized the importance of addressing such issues promptly through constructive dialogue.
Dr Bath underscored the need for a democratic solution to the citizenship status of the Chakma and Hajong communities in Arunachal Pradesh. He emphasized that the symposium aimed to explore various dimensions of the issue and find a resolution.
Regarding his book, “From India to India: Chakma and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh,” Dr Bath described it as both political and emotional.
“The book delves into the migration, citizenship, socio-economic conditions, electoral rolls, and population of the two communities in the state,” he informed.
Dr Bath, a recipient of the Indian Political Science Association (IPSA) Young Political Award, is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the RGU.
Also Read: Assam CM woos minority voters with developmental promises