GUWAHATI: Amidst intense election campaigning in Assam for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, the state is witnessing a massive uproar over possible relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.
The opposition parties in Assam are up in arms against the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state over the proposed relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to neighbouring Assam.
It may be mentioned here that union minister Kiren Rijiju, recently, stated that more than 67,000 Chakma and Hajong refugees, currently residing in Arunachal Pradesh, might get resettled in Assam under the citizenship amendment act (CAA) soon.
WHY CHAKMAS-HAJONGS MIGHT GET RESETTLED IN ASSAM?
Chakmas, predominantly Buddhists, migrated to Arunachal Pradesh in the 1960s from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) due to reported religious persecution. The settlement of these communities in Arunachal Pradesh has been a contentious issue, often sparking controversy.
Rijiju stated that these communities are ineligible to receive Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) in Arunachal Pradesh and therefore will be relocated elsewhere in India.
This decision aligns with Arunachal Pradesh’s status as a state protected for tribal populations.
However, the potential consequence of this additional population may now fall on Assam.
Kiren Rijiju revealed that he is engaging in discussions with Assam and has been actively addressing this issue.
Under the citizenship amendment act (CAA), non-Muslim communities persecuted for their religion in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are eligible for Indian citizenship.
However, Arunachal Pradesh, being a tribal state, is exempted from the purview of CAA.
“We have initiated talks with the Assam chief minister regarding the resettlement of the Chakmas in Assam,” Rijiju stated recently.
He further mentioned that efforts have been underway discreetly to identify a suitable location for resettling these communities in Assam.
It is noteworthy that in 1996, the Supreme Court directed Arunachal Pradesh to grant citizenship to the Chakma-Hajong community, but they declined to comply with the directive.
ASSAM OPPOSITION PARTIES SLAM BJP-GOVT IN ASSAM
Meanwhile, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader and Dibrugarh Lok Sabha candidate, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, emphasised that union minister Kiren Rijiju’s recent statement is an evidence that the Chakma community is considering Assam for citizenship under the citizenship amendment act (CAA), following Arunachal government’s denial of the same to the community.
Gogoi highlighted the “detrimental impact” of CAA on indigenous rights, attributing it to both Assam and central government orchestration.
On the other hand, Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah claimed that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is “engaged in a dangerous conspiracy against the state”.
“Union minister Kiren Rijiju has clearly stated that Arunachal Pradesh won’t accept any refugees from neighbouring countries,” said Borah.
He added: “But Assam CM like an obedient subordinate, has agreed to Amit Shah’s order to settle five lakh Hajong-Chakma refugees in Assam.”
The Assam Congress president further stated: “This was unwittingly revealed by Kiren Rijiju in a press conference.”
Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah also claimed that the people of the state would “never accept such a proposal”.
“On April 26 and May 07 the people of Assam would show their opposition to the CM’s conspiracy through the means of their vote,” the Assam Congress chief added.
Meanwhile, opposition MLA in Assam – Akhil Gogoi has slammed the BJP government in the state, led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the proposed relocation of people belonging to Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.
Gogoi called for clarity from Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the state government’s stance on the matter, while denouncing the Chakma-Hajong relocation proposal.
The Assam opposition MLA raised concerns about whether Assam being transformed into a ‘dustbin’ for foreign nationals.
Gogoi alleged that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had yielded to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led national democratic alliance (NDA) government at the Centre in an attempt to conceal his purported ‘scams’.
“If CM Himanta Biswa Sarma brings foreigners into Assam with the intent of resettling them under the CAA, he will face legal action,” Assam opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi warned.
ASSAM CM HIMANTA BISWA SARMA’S REACTION ON ISSUE
However, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma refuted the claims, stating: “There are no plans or discussions in regards to relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.”
“No discussion was held with Arunachal Pradesh regarding relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees (to Assam),” said CM Sarma.
“We only talked about granting citizenship to Moran and Muttock people living in Arunachal Pradesh,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.