Assam reacts sharply to Rijiju’s statement on Chakma and Hajong relocation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 23, 2024

Various political and non-political organizations of Assam reacted sharply to the statement of Union minister Kiren Rijiju that Chakma and Hajongs would be relocated to Assam and talks have been going on with Union home minister Kiren Rijiju and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for it for the last three years.

Reacting to the statement, Sarma said on Tuesday that the central government has not discussed anything over the relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees in Assam.

“I don’t know what Rijiju has said, but the government of India has not discussed these matters with us. Rijiju might have perhaps said something in view of the political situation in Arunachal Pradesh,” Sarma told reporters.

The chief minister maintained that there is no land available to re-settle the refugees and added, “No one from Chakma or Hajong communities has met me nor has the government of India discussed it with me. I will speak with Rijiju about the matter after the elections.”

Sarma said Assamese people residing in Arunachal Pradesh, numbering about 6,000-7,000, will be given permanent resident certificates by the Assam government.

The Chakmas, mostly Buddhists, settled in Arunachal Pradesh in the 1960s when parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) where they originally lived were submerged by a dam. The Hindu Hajongs had migrated from East Pakistan around the same time because of alleged religious persecution.

“Chakma-Hajongs have been staying here as guests. They are not entitled to get a residential proof certificate (PRC) here,” Rijiju said in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh home minister Bamang Felix and BJP MLA from Itanagar, Techi Kacho.

“The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a blessing for Arunachal Pradesh. It is out of the purview of Arunachal Pradesh. The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants — Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians — from the three countries. So we will not grant them citizenship or permanent residents here,” Rijiju also said.

“We have already talked to the Union home minister Amit Shah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about the resettlement of Chakmas in Assam. It is a big issue. There is also resistance from local residents here,” the Union minister said.

Rijiju’s statement has led to sharp reactions in Assam, with various political and non-political parties demanding clarification from the chief minister in this regard.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah said: “If the statement of Rijiju is true, it will be very dangerous for Assam. He clearly said CAA is a blessing for Arunachal Pradesh. So it is a curse for Assam.”

“It is surprising how our chief minister is going to take the burden of more refugees in the state. Ahead of the 2nd phase of elections, it will be a clear mess for the voters of Assam. If you vote for BJP, you have to welcome the proposal for relocation of Chakma-Hajongs in Assam,” Borah said.

“I think Rijiju is not lying. If Shah says, Himanta will do it, Borah also said.

Reacting to the issue, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said: “Our question remains that if the Act is not good for most parts of North East, how can it be okay for some areas of Assam,” he questioned.

“We have already expressed our doubt on it. And now Kiren Rijiju’s statement cleared it. It is a great injustice to Assam. We will not accept the CAA in any circumstance,” Gogoi said.

“The CM tried to escape from the truth. He is trying to cover up the truth,” Gogoi also said.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi said, “Sarma should clarify whether he has received any such instructions from the government of India or Amit Shah. And if Rijiju is lying, Sarma should force him to apologise publicly.”

Echoing a similar opinion, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya also reiterated their stand against the CAA.

“We are continuing with our democratic fight as well as legal fight. And it is a positive thing that the North East Students’ Organisation is at the lead in opposing the Act for the entire region,” he said.

The population of Chakma-Hajon is estimated to be 1 lakh or more than it. However, the Arunachal Pradesh government is yet to carry out a census on the population of the two communities.