ITANAGAR, Jan 19: Reiterating that the state government’s decision of granting Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) to non-APSTs residing in Namsai, Lohit and Vijoynagar area of Changlang district was unacceptable and against the interest of indigenous people of the state, the United Arunachal Indigenous People’s Forum (UAIPF) on Saturday vehemently criticized the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for announcing to grant PRC to the non-APSTs.
CM Pema Khandu and DyCM Chowna Mein had reportedly announced to issue PRC to non-APSTs living in Lekang and Vijoynagar during their tour to those areas for which they faced flak from all quarters.
Affirming that the Forum would fight “tooth and nail” against the decision, UAIPF president Laffe Paffa at a press conference here demanded the CM and DyCM for immediate withdrawal of their statements in the interest of the indigenous people of the state.
“The state is already facing issues of Chakma-Hajongs, Citizenship Amendment Bill, and now what is this illogical announcement to award few PRC to non-APST populace,” retorted the UAIPF president.
“We have elected our representatives to protect our indigenous rights, land and its people, and their role should be first to look for our betterment while not polluting with their selfish agenda,” said Paffa.
Lambasting on the ground which the state government is proposing PRCs to non-APSTs, Paffa said that the claims made by the non-APSTs of Lekang area are purely baseless and against the existing Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
“Decision to issue PRC to non-APSTs is a serious matter. The state government should have a consultative meeting with all stakeholders before going ahead with such arbitrary decision which might trigger law and order problem in near future,” he asserted.
According to Paffa while Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is active, no office or government can grant land possession certificate (LPC), PRC to any non-APST.
Citing more on regulations which prohibit any rights to non APST to claim PRC or rights at par with indigenous people under the BEFR 1873, Chin Hill Regulation 1896, Article 243D, the Constitution (83rd Amendment) Act 2000, etc, he urged the CM and DyCM to properly examine and study all these regulations before making any hasty decision.
He appealed the CM, DyCM and former Minister Bida Taku “not to stoop so low for political gains and to make vote bank with such low-level appeasement tactics”.
The Forum further cautioned that the State government would face strong opposition from it if the announcement to grant PRC is not revoked immediately, and that Forum would go to any extent to press for its demand.
For the same issue, a protest rally-cum-dharna was organized by UAIPF at Tennis Court here on December 27 last.