AAPSU holds a special session, threatens to call for 24 hours bandh.

By Apekshita Sonowal

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union holds a special meeting. The meeting was between the Central Executive members of AAPSU and all the federal units i.e., District Students’ Union (DSUs) of AAPSU on July 28, 2022 at NEFA club building, Itanagar. The meeting was chaired by the President of AAPSU, Dozi Tana Tara regarding the illegal issuance of PRC by some officials to over 500 Chakma-Hajong refugees.

According to the press release by AAPSU, few resolutions have been adopted unanimously by the house:-

1. AAPSU sticks to its earlier charter of demand submitted to the state government ref, no. AAPSU/CH/RPC/-01-18/22 dated 18/07/22. Failing to meet the demand will lead to first the phase of 24 hours bandh i.e., from 4 am of 3^rd August to 4 am of 4^th august 2022.

2. Arrest of Mr. Biri Joy for demeaning AAPSU and its cause and the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Image- Official press release of AAPSU for reference.

The Union, previously, on July 18, 2022 served a 15 day ultimatum to the state government to resolve the same and furthermore, had threatened to enforce an indefinite statewide bandh from August 2, 2022 if the government failed to meet their demands.

According to AAPSU, the government officials, secretary home and political secretary commissioner have requested for a period time period of two months but keeping in mind the intensity of the issue, AAPSU declined the offer requested.

The Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union (APCSU) headed by Rup Singh Chakma, on the other hand, appeals to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to ignore and not support the bandh called by the AAPSU.

“The demands of the AAPSU are illogical as issuance of residence certificate to the Chakmas is based on laws of India. The order for arrest under the National Security Act can only be issued by the Deputy Commissioner. Are we expecting the Deputy Commissioner to issue an arrest warrant for himself under the NSA?” asked Rup Singh Chakma.

He further said that, “The state government of Arunachal Pradesh must not give in to such demands. Otherwise, the state government will be governed by mob rule and not the rule of law. The bandh causes inconvenience and loss to all the people. The Chakmas and Hajongs shall not participate and everything shall remain open in the Chakma and Hajong inhabited areas.”