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Panel to study Chakma, Hajong citizenship issue

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Aug 18 � The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a committee to look into the demand for grant of Indian citizenship to Chakmas and Hajongs and also to look into the problems of their resettlement in Arunachal Pradesh.

The committee has been constituted by the MHA on August 10 with representatives of Arunachal Pradesh Government, Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal and All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union.

Besides, the deputy Commissioners of Lohit and Changlang districts have been made special members of the Committee, Minister of State for Home Affairs, M Ramachandran said in a Lok Sabha reply to a question by Takam Sanjoy.

The Committee would examine various issues relating to resettlement of Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh and would also explore the possibility of granting Indian citizenship to eligible Chakmas and Hajongs residing in the State, he added.

The Home Ministry�s announcement has come days ahead of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu�s letter to Election Commission asking it to further probe the inclusion of Chakmas and Hajongs in the electoral rolls after fresh row between Chakma villagers and AAPSU supporters.

AAPSU�s PIL opposing the inclusion of Chakmas in the electoral rolls is pending in the High Court. The AAPSU has threatened a State-wide agitation if the State Government failed to resolve the Chakma issue.

In 2007, the State Government constituted a nine-member high-level committee to look into the Chakma and Hajong issue. It also asked for a representative of the Union Home Ministry in June this year to look into the Chakma and Hajong settlement issue and submit a report.

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