No plan of relocating Chakmas-Hajongs from Arunachal to Assam: CM Sarma

GUWAHATI: “There are no plans or discussions in regards to relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.”

This was claimed by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“No discussion was held with Arunachal Pradesh regarding relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees (to Assam),” said CM Sarma.

However, the Assam CM stated that discussion were held with Arunachal Pradesh government regarding grant of citizenship people belonging to Moran and Muttock communities in Arunachal Pradesh.

“We only talked about granting citizenship to Moran and Muttock people living in Arunachal Pradesh,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma made this claim while reacting to a recent statement by union minister and Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh – Kiren Rijiju.

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Rijiju said that Chakma and Hajong refugees, currently residing in Arunachal Pradesh, should be relocated to Assam.

Kiren Rijiju stated that the Chakma and Hajong refugees should be resettled outside Arunachal Pradesh before they are eligible for Indian citizenship under the citizenship amendment act (CAA).

The union minister from Arunachal Pradesh suggested that over 67,000 people belonging to the Chakma and Hajong communities should be relocated to neighbouring Assam.

“They are residing here as guests. They are not eligible to obtain a permanent resident certificate (PRC) or citizenship in Arunachal Pradesh,” Rijiju stated.

He said that the Assam chief minister, in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government, emphasized on resettlement of Chakmas and Hajongs in Assam.

“We engaged in discussions with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding relocation of Chakmas to Assam,” the union minister said.

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Meanwhile, opposition MLA in Assam – Akhil Gogoi has slammed the BJP government in the state, led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the proposed relocation of people belonging to Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.

Gogoi called for clarity from Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the state government’s stance on the matter, while denouncing the Chakma-Hajong relocation proposal.

The Assam opposition MLA raised concerns about whether Assam being transformed into a ‘dustbin’ for foreign nationals.

Gogoi alleged that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had yielded to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led national democratic alliance (NDA) government at the Centre in an attempt to conceal his purported ‘scams’.

“If CM Himanta Biswa Sarma brings foreigners into Assam with the intent of resettling them under the CAA, he will face legal action,” Assam opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi warned.