“For Arunachal, Chakma Hajongs are refugees”: NESO co-ordinator Pritam Waii Sonam

The Northeast Students Organisation today sought response from the state government as well as the Centre seeking clarity on the status of Chakma Hajongs residing in Arunachal Pradesh. Referring to the fact that Chakma Hajongs would be considered as Indian citizens under the Citizenship Amendment Act, NESO co-ordinator Pritam Waii Sonam said for the people of Arunachal, Chakma Hajongs are refugees and must move back to Bangladesh.

The NESO leader also said that confusion persists over what would be the status of Chakma Hajongs if Arunachal Pradesh is exempted from CAA.

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Pritam Waii Sonam sent out a strong message stating that the Chakma Hajongs may be recognized as Indian citizens under the CAA, but will never be accepted as indigenous to Arunachal. Therefore, the NESO has demanded that the Centre and the state government must come out with a clear-cut policy regarding the status of Chakma and Hajongs.

The NESO has also flayed the complaint filed by Subhash Chakma on behalf of the Chakma Development Foundation of India, against alleged racial profiling of both the communities through an exclusive census to be carried out between December 11 to December 31, 2021.

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NESO co-ordinator Prtitam Waii Sonam said that Subhas Chakma had presented fake facts before the state government and the Centre pertaining to the issue. The NESO leader alleged that Subhash Chakma is trying to cover up the reality. According to Sonam, the NESO has its own statistical report showing the increase of Chakma Hajong population over 1 lakh mark. However, in the letter written to the PMO, the complainant said the Chakma Hajong population is at least 65,000.

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