Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a significant decision aimed at fostering closer ties between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Sarma announced that individuals of Assamese origin residing in Arunachal Pradesh will soon be eligible to obtain Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) from the government of Assam.
According to a report by the Arunachal Times, Sarma was addressing an election rally in Lohit district when he said this decision was made in the best interest of individuals with Assamese roots residing in Arunachal Pradesh. He highlighted that the Assam government’s cabinet had approved this move, enabling Assamese-origin residents of Arunachal to apply for government jobs in Assam and enroll their children in engineering and medical colleges within Assam using Assam PRCs.
Acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding the issuance of PRCs to non-APSTs (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) in Arunachal, Sarma assured that efforts were underway to address this longstanding issue respectfully. He underscored his commitment to respecting both the law and the sentiments of the people of Arunachal.
Furthermore, Sarma pledged that the Assam government would extend equal treatment to individuals of Assamese origin residing in Arunachal, affirming their status as respected citizens of Assam. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Arunachal government in addressing the needs of Assamese-origin residents within the state.
The issuance of PRCs to non-APSTs in districts like Namsai, Lohit, and Changlang has historically been a contentious issue in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2019, the state witnessed widespread unrest in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) following protests against the proposed issuance of PRCs to six non-tribal communities. The violent demonstrations resulted in three fatalities and extensive damage to public and private property.
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Responding to the magnitude of the protests, the state government issued a gazette notification halting further action on the granting of PRCs to non-APST residents of Namsai and Changlang districts.
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