ASDC opposes relocation of Chakma-Hajong refugees

DIPHU — The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) has opposed the relocation of Chakma-Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam, stating that it would affect the current demographic pattern of Karbi Anglong.

The General Secretary of the ASDC, Jotson Bey, who is also the party candidate in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election from the 6–Diphu (ST) Parliamentary Constituency, expressed apprehension that the present demographic pattern of the district might be changed if the 5 lakh Chakma-Hajong refugees settling in Arunachal Pradesh are relocated to Assam.

Bey claimed that on April 16, the central minister, Kiran Rijiju, declared that he had discussed with the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, relocating Chakma-Hajong refugees in Assam and added that the matter had been discussed at the Union Home ministry level.

‘Before the parliamentary election, the ASDC met the Assam CM and discussed the deportation of illegal settlers. Not to speak of giving space for the settlement of new people from outside. The existing illegal settlers should be evicted from the Sixth Schedule district of Karbi Anglong, as it is reserved for scheduled tribe people,’ Bey said.

He added that the ASDC, KSA and Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) are opposed to the settlement of Chakma-Hajong refugees in Assam.

Referring to the history, Bey said that in 1960, the Garos and the Bengalis, as Bangladesh refugees, were brought in by the Assam government to settle them in Karbi Anglong. He added that the Garos were given to settle in Rongkhang Reserve, now in West Karbi Anglong and the Bengali refugees were given to settle at Rongkut under Howraghat LAC.

Bey stated that if the Chakma-Hajong refugees are allowed to settle in Assam, they would come to Karbi Anglong. He further stated that those Chakmas coming to Karbi Anglong after 1951 are not counted as indigenous settlers and would be deported.

Also read: ASDC apprehensive over relocation of Chakma-Hajong refuges to Assam