Guwahati: The Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Women Welfare Society (APCWWS) has alleged intimidation, obstruction, stone-pelting and firearm discharge during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing involving Chakma electors at Bordumsa in Changlang district on September 3 and 4.
In a statement on Tuesday, the APCWWS said Chakma electors who travelled 10 to 15 kilometres from their homes to attend the statutory SIR hearing on September 3 found the proceedings disrupted. The hearing could not be completed that day, and the electors were asked to return the following day.
According to the Society, the situation escalated on September 4 when the electors returned to submit documents and participate in the proceedings.
The APCWWS said a large gathering associated with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) was present at the venue. Some individuals were allegedly carrying firearms, machetes and stones.
The Society alleged that the gathering resulted in intimidation and obstruction of the proceedings, damage to government property, stone-pelting and slogans directed at Chakma electors. It also alleged that a firearm was discharged during the confrontation.
Several Chakma electors were forced to leave the venue fearing for their safety, the Society said. According to accounts received by the APCWWS, some electors were pushed, assaulted, beaten or threatened.
The Society said the electors had travelled to the hearing carrying voter-related papers, identity documents and other evidence to support their electoral claims before the competent authority.
AAPSU’s response to the allegations, and confirmation from district or police authorities on the events of September 3 and 4, could not be independently verified at the time of filing.
The APCWWS said the disruption and repeated postponement of the hearing placed a disproportionate burden on women electors. It said women, who are often responsible for arranging childcare, caring for elderly family members, managing households and giving up a day’s work to attend the hearing.
The Society said they would have to make the same journey again if a hearing was postponed.
It further said the electors had travelled to the hearing for the limited purpose of appearing before the electoral authority, submitting documents and responding to objections concerning their electoral entries.