Khandu voices people’s concern to refugees

Itanagar, September 18 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today voiced the concerns of the people of the state on the vexed issue of granting citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in the state.   In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today, Khandu said the matter is of deep emotional concern and Arunachal is not ready to accept any infringement of the Constitutional protection given to the tribals of the state, an official release informed.   He said that Arunachal Pradesh with its unique history is governed by a special act - The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which prescribes a line to be called the Inner Line . Section 2 of the act prohibits all citizens of India or any class of such citizens from going beyond such line without a pass issued under the hand and seal of the CEO of such district or such officer authorized with such function.   "Further, Section 7 of the Regulation reads as It shall not be lawful for any person, not being a native of the district comprised in the preamble of this regulation, to acquire any interest in land or the product of land beyond the said Inner Line ," he said.   The letter said that Arunachal Pradesh is a predominantly tribal state and the Constitution gives it special protection rights to the people of the state. These provisions were legislated with the singular objective to protect the tribes from the onslaught of alien culture and overwhelming influx of non-Arunachalees.   "Therefore, as mentioned by me in our meeting recently, I reiterate that the people of my state are not ready to accept any infringement on the Constitutional protection bestowed on the tribals of Arunachal Pradesh and want to ensure that the ethnic composition and the special rights enjoyed by the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are safeguarded at all cost," Khandu said in the letter.   He solicited the union home Minister s support in protecting the tribal rights and securing the sanctity of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, the release added.