Reiterating its demand for a permanent solution in the matter of the “offspring of an Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe mother and non-APST father enjoying ST benefits in the state”, AAPSU called upon the Arunachal government to table the matter in the upcoming budget session.
In a statement, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Tuesday said, “Though the AAPSU has been consistent in its effort to pursue the matter with the state government, it has, however, not been taken up seriously by the government till now.”
“AAPSU had taken up the offspring matter as it is becoming a threat to the indigenous population of the state,” the statement added.
“The AAPSU had called on the state government on several occasions and called for legislation to be made to regulate the issue,” it further said.
“The AAPSU had also urged to constitute an empowered study group to study the matter and also the quantum of punishments to be fixed for those issuing certifying APST statuses to such individuals and other important aspects related to it,” it reiterated.
“AAPSU calls for a concrete mechanism to be put in place to tackle the growing menace, which is slowly destabilizing the socio-cultural fabric of the state,” the statement said.
The apex student body of the state further urger the state government to introduce appropriate laws in the state assembly to look into the offspring issue for the safety and securing the lives of the indigenous people.
“The people are eager and hopeful that the state government would come up with the matter in coming budget session,” the statement reiterated.
“Chief Minister Pema Khandu had categorically assured an AAPSU delegation in December 2019 that the matter will be tabled in coming budget session,” the statement added.
“The offspring issue is like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and this trend will hamper the demography of the state,” it reiterated.
AAPSU further threatened to launch democratic protests if the matter is not tabled in the upcoming budget session.