Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Urges Chakma and Hajong Communities to Relocate from Arunachal Pradesh

Call for Voluntary Relocation

Itanagar, June 11: Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister, emphasized on Tuesday that the Chakma and Hajong communities living in Arunachal Pradesh should consider relocating voluntarily, citing legal and constitutional restrictions that bar their settlement in designated tribal areas.

During a press conference held as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal – Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan ke 11 Saal’ initiative in Itanagar, Rijiju stated, “We continuously urge the Chakma and Hajong communities to leave Arunachal Pradesh of their own accord. In a democratic nation, forced eviction is not acceptable.”

He pointed out that the Chakmas and Hajongs were settled in the state in 1964 by the then Congress government. “The circumstances and laws have evolved since then. We are asking them to move to any location they deem appropriate. The government is also willing to offer a rehabilitation package, but their cooperation is essential,” he added.

When asked about potential relocation sites, Rijiju expressed disappointment over the community's lack of cooperation. “I have personally reached out to their leaders to assist in identifying suitable relocation areas, but regrettably, they have not been responsive,” he remarked.

He also mentioned the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) while addressing issues related to illegal immigration. “Even if individuals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other neighboring nations are granted citizenship under the CAA, they are not permitted to settle in the tribal regions of the North East. This is a specific provision outlined in the Act,” Rijiju emphasized.

The Union Minister reiterated that Parliament has established laws to safeguard the demographic and cultural integrity of the tribal areas in the North East, asserting that illegal immigrants cannot obtain citizenship or rights within these protected regions.