Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Bamang Felix has downplayed the reports of a supposed special census of Chakmas and Hajongs in the state.
He was reacting to the reports of the Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The CDFI had alleged that racial profiling of the 65,000 Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal is being planned by an exclusive census.
CDFI has also alleged that this is a planned exercise to expel the Chakmas and the Hajongs from the state.
Felix added that the issue of the Chakmas and Hajongs in the state is five decades old.
A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein to find a lasting solution to this problem.
“If there was any such issue (of Census) then it can be put in front of the committee and discussed,” he added.
On the allegations of racial profiling, Felix said that he was not aware of any such developments.
Meanwhile, Changlang Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav informed that no special census has been planned at the moment, and in case any such move is taken, all stakeholders will be consulted.
“We are in touch with the Gaon Burahs and the student organisations and there is no such issue. Census such as this has been have earlier been conducted in 2011 and 2016. If any such census happens then all stakeholders will be consulted,” Yadav clarified.
On reports of a circular being issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner regarding a census the DC clarified, “a routine survey to solve the boundary issue of Lohit and Changlang is being done” as those living in these areas otherwise face problems.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
In total, around 1,200-1,400 houses primarily belonging to Bengali-speaking Muslims, were demolished during the eviction…