| Staff REPORTER |
ITANAGAR, Feb 11: The All Changlang District Students’ Union in collaboration with All Tangsa Students’ Union, All Singpho Students’ Union, All Yobin Students’ Union and All Tutsa Students’ Union on Monday organized a protest rally against the reported granting of Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) to non-APSTs at Miao.
The peaceful protest rally, carried out from DUDA Complex to Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office, was supported by indigenous people and various Community Based Organizations (CBOs), who came out in large number.
Agitated protesters shouted slogans against Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and criticized them for proposing to issue PRC to non-APSTs living in Lekang under Namsai district and other places.
Thangbom Tangha, vice president, All Changlang District Students’ Union, while questioning why the Joint High Power Committee was constituted, said, if the JHPC was for the interest of the indigenous people then work should be done for the interest of indigenous people only.
Reiterating that people of Changlang will never accept granting of PRC to non-APSTs, Tangha said, if the local sentiments are not respected and demand is not fulfilled then the Unions would launch series of democratic movements.
Nywazosa Yobin, president, All Yobin Students’ Union, stated that PRC shouldn’t be given to non-APSTs at any cost. “Ours is a protected state under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 and there should not be question of granting of PRC to non-APSTs undermining the sentiments of indigenous people,” he asserted.
The protestors also strongly opposed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Organizations stated that the people of Changlang district also totally oppose CAB and never accept the illegal immigrants in the state.