Chakma Hajong representatives staged a massive protest in Delhi over the cancellation of the RPC in Arunachal.

New Delhi: Chakma and Hajong representative organizations of Arunachal Pradesh staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah against the recent cancellation of Residence Proof Certificates (RPCs) issued to the community in Arunachal Pradesh. .

The Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh also protested against the central government’s directive to issue Temporary Settlement Certificates (TSCs) “only for the purpose of education and employment opportunities”.
The representative organizations of Chakma and Hajong informed the Home Minister that the Assam Rifles in an order dated November 23, 2022 did not accept “temporary residence certificates as proof of domicile/permanent residence certificate” for joining the services”.

“Only citizens of India are eligible for Central Government jobs and, therefore, it is the recognized position of the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh that those to whom TSCs will be issued are Indian citizens. Since the Assam Rifles has recruited has rejected the Temporary Residence Certificate, it is clear that the stated objectives of issuing the TSC have failed and therefore the order of issuing the TSC should be withdrawn and the Certificate of Proof of Residence should be issued. Should be,” said Tejang Chakma, Delhi-NCR convener of Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance (CHRA).

Speaking on the issue, Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union (APCSU) President Roop Singh Chakma said, “Every citizen of this country is issued a current and permanent address certificate by the concerned authorities. The Income Tax Act and Under the Representation of the People Act, any person residing in a place for about six months is considered to be an ordinary resident. These Chakmas and Hajongs were born and brought up in Arunachal Pradesh. TSC) is being issued which is unheard of under Indian laws and administrative practices and is being done only for sadistic pleasure.

Santosh Babura Chakma, youth leader and president of Chakma Welfare and Cultural Society of Noida added, “There are about 30,000 Chakmas and Hajong Indian citizens who are eligible for education and employment in Arunachal Pradesh. They need residence proof for educational and employment purposes. Certificates (RPCs) have been issued.

“Cancellation of RPCs and issuance of TRCs is nothing but ethnic discrimination. Temporary settlement certificates are not issued to other non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes and Chakma and Hajong are targeted because of their ethnic origin and caste. Going”, added Samingal Chakma, convener of Arunachal Pradesh Chakma and Hajong Students’ Association.

Addressing the protest, Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) founder Suhas Chakma said, “There is no rule of law in Arunachal Pradesh. AAPSU acts as the supreme authority over the state government of Arunachal Pradesh. Even in an order dated 22nd November 2022, Deon Circle, Changlong District Additional Assistant Commissioner Shri Sanihangso Roy was ordered suspended for allegedly issuing RPCs to Chakmas and Hujongs marked AAPSU. It was a reflection of the sad situation of the state.