ITANAGAR, Sept 18 - Faced with a strong resistance from various quarters, including pressure groups like students� union, NGOs and political parties, on Centre�s alleged move to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees residing in the State, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, stating that the State is not ready to accept any infringement of the constitutional protection bestowed on the tribals of the State.
The Chief Minister, in his letter to Union Home Minister, pointed out that Arunachal Pradesh with its unique history is governed by a special Act namely the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which prescribes a line to be called the �Inner Line�, Section 2 which prohibits all citizens of India or any class of such citizens from going beyond such line without a pass issued under the hand and seal of the CEO of such district or such officer authorised with such function.
�Further, Section 7 of the Regulation reads: �It shall not be lawful for any person, not being a native of the district comprised in the preamble of this regulation, to acquire any interest in land or the product of land beyond the said Inner Line�.,� Khandu cited.
He added that Arunachal Pradesh is a predominantly tribal State and the Constitution of India gives special protection rights to the people of the State. These provisions were legislated with the singular objective to protect the tribes of the State from the onslaught of alien culture and overwhelming influx of non-Arunachalis in the State.
�Therefore, as mentioned by me in our meeting recently, I reiterate that the people of my State are not ready to accept any infringement on the Constitutional protection bestowed on the tribals of Arunachal Pradesh and want to ensure that the ethnic composition and the special rights enjoyed by the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are safeguarded at all cost,� Khandu said in the letter.
He solicited the Home Minister�s support in protecting the tribal rights and securing the sanctity of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Arunachal Pradesh.
