The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has registered a complaint filed by the Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) on December 2, 2021, against the racial profiling of the Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh through an exclusive census of both the communities from 11 to December 31, 2021, in clear violations of their right to life including the right to privacy and the right to equality.
In its letter dated December 7, 2021, the PMO directed the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh for appropriate action against the complaint and information on the matter, CDFI said in a statement.
There are about 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs in the state, of which about 4,500 are migrants of 1964 to 1969.
The rests are the descendants and citizens by birth under Section 3 of the Citizenship Act of 1955.
On November 26, 2021, Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh notified “Census of Chakmas and Hajongs 2021” to be conducted from December 11, 2021, for completion on or before 31 December 2021.
The exclusive census has since been denied by the Deputy Commissioner himself contrary to the orders issued by him and his subordinates.
“The Government of India seeks solution to the Chakma-Hajong issues arising out of non-implementation of the Supreme Court judgments, denial of the Panchayati Raj, denial of the most government schemes including food security and the prohibition on employment including as general candidates. This attempt to find a solution is not a license for committing more grave human rights violations,” said Suhas Chakma, Founder of the CDFI.