Chakmas, Hajongs should voluntarily leave Arunachal, reiterates Kiren Rijiju
Speaking to the media during the 'Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal – Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan ke 11 Saal' programme in Itanagar, Rijiju said, 'We are repeatedly appealing to the Chakma and Hajong communities to leave Arunachal Pradesh voluntarily. In a democratic country, forceful eviction is not permissible.'
Rijiju noted that the Chakmas and Hajongs were settled in Arunachal Pradesh in 1964 by the then Congress-led government. 'Now, time and laws have changed. We are requesting them to relocate to any place they find suitable. The government is also prepared to provide a rehabilitation package, but they must cooperate,' he said.
Responding to questions about identifying relocation sites, Rijiju expressed concern over the lack of cooperation from the community. 'I have personally requested their leaders to help in identifying potential areas for relocation, but unfortunately, they are not cooperating,' he said.
He also referred to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) while addressing concerns over illegal immigration. 'Even if citizenship is granted under the CAA to individuals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other neighbouring countries, they cannot settle in the tribal areas of the Northeast. This is a clear and special provision under the Act,' Rijiju asserted.
The Union Minister emphasized that Parliament has enacted laws to protect the demography and cultural identity of the tribal regions in the Northeast, and illegal immigrants cannot acquire citizenship or rights within these protected zones.
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