The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union has opposed the state government's decision to hold a meeting to discuss the proposed inclusion of the Kachari community of Namsai and Changlang districts under the Scheduled Tribe, Sub-Tribe, Plains Tribe category in the Census.
ITANAGAR — The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union has opposed the state government's decision to hold a meeting to discuss the proposed inclusion of the Kachari community of Namsai and Changlang districts under the Scheduled Tribe, Sub-Tribe, Plains Tribe category in the Census.
The apex students' body has cautioned the government that it would intensify its agitation if the meeting goes ahead.
According to a circular issued by the Social Justice and Empowerment and Tribal Affairs department on Friday, the meeting is scheduled for July 13 under the chairmanship of the chief secretary.
Representatives of the All Arunachal Pradesh Kachari Community Development Council, Sonowal Kachari Jatiya Parishad and the All Arunachal Pradesh Sonowal Kachari Students' Union have been invited to take part in the consultation.
Arunachal Pradesh is a fully tribal state protected under the Inner Line Permit system of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, to safeguard the land, resources and political rights of its indigenous people, president of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), Meje Taku, said.
"Granting Scheduled Tribe status to communities that are not indigenous to the state would weaken these constitutional and legal safeguards," he said, adding that the AAPSU's stand on the issue was clear and uncompromising.
AAPSU also argued that the Sonowal Kachari community already enjoys Scheduled Tribe (Plains) status in neighbouring Assam and questioned the need for another recognition in Arunachal Pradesh.
It further said any relaxation of the existing criteria for Scheduled Tribe recognition could encourage similar demands from other communities with historical or ethnic links to the state, affecting its demographic and political balance.
The union also cautioned that any move in this direction could disturb peace and social harmony in the state and held the government responsible for any consequences arising from the proposed meeting.
The AAPSU urged the state government to cancel the meeting and reaffirm that the existing criteria for Scheduled Tribe status in Arunachal Pradesh would not be altered or extended beyond the state's recognised indigenous tribes.