MAC creation demand vehemently opposed

ITANAGAR, Aug 1: Couple of days after the demand for creation of Mon Autonomous Council (MAC) resurfaced, the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), a conglomeration of various CBOs of the State, today vehemently opposed the demand by the Mon Autonomous Region Demand Committee (MARDC) in a public meeting at Tawang which was attended by CM Pema Khandu, among others.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the AITF wrote: “The (constituent) members were sceptical of your conspicuous presence in the said public meeting…This led to hectic parlays and the members expressed serious apprehension of infighting and divided Arunachal with narrow regional aspirations, if such demands proliferates in the State.

“The civil society resolved to deter with all its might on any 'attempt to divide Arunachal' on any pretext. Such a move may cause chaotic social order and breach of peace and tranquility in the State with similar multiple demands of political autonomy and political identity from the nook and corner of the State.

Therefore, feeling the pulse of the people and in the greater interest of the state, the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Tribes' Forum implore upon the Government of Arunachal Pradesh not to succumb to such pressure of divisive policies rather unitely fight the unprecedented 'COVID-19 pandemic and stand by the nation at this crucial hour of 'threat of external aggression' of the neighbouring countries,” it said.

The All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) also denounced CM Khandu for allegedly patronizing the demand for creation of Mon Autonomous Council for Tawang and West Kameng by including Lada and Bana area of East Kameng district.

While pointing out that the committee (MARDC) has threatened to boycott coming Panchayat election if its demand is not fulfilled, ANYA quizzed how come the CM and MLAs (Mon region) can be the part of boycott of Panchayat election.

“In this regard, we appeal central top BJP leaders and Prime Minister to use their wisdom and see how BJP leaders are playing divisive politics, which may diminish the popularity of BJP in Arunachal Pradesh,” said ANYA while accusing CM of promoting regionalism and communal politics in the state.

The Adi students’ Union (AdiSU) also opposed the MAC creation demand and described it as “an act of dividing Arunachal Pradesh”.

The AdiSU also termed the resolution passed in the State Assembly over this issue way back in 2004 as one of the 'historical blunders' by political representatives. “It is high time that the state government recalls the Bill from the Assembly and corrects the wrong done in the past for greater good of Arunachal community.”

Though the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for constitutional arrangements for administration of tribal areas through Autonomous District Councils, implementing it in Arunachal Pradesh will create floodgate for more such blunders thereby putting the harmony amongst Arunachal community at stake, stated AdiSU in a release.