Itanagar: The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has issued a contempt notice to senior officials and Deputy Commissioners of Arunachal Pradesh for alleged violations of the Supreme Court’s 1996 judgment concerning the Chakma and Hajong communities.
The action comes ahead of a state government meeting scheduled for July 8 to discuss illegal immigrants and electoral safeguards for indigenous communities, during which “Land Records and Encroachment by Chakma Hajong Settlers” is listed as an agenda item.
The meeting, convened by the Home Department, follows a memorandum submitted by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU).
AAPSU has been formally invited to participate in the official deliberations alongside government representatives.
In response, RRAG Director Suhas Chakma, who also serves as a member of the National Human Rights Commission’s Core Group, criticised the inclusion of AAPSU in the government’s decision-making process.
In a strongly worded statement, he said the state government is not only failing to uphold the Supreme Court’s directives but is actively undermining them by involving a non-state actor with no legal authority in official deliberations.
He described the move as an “absolute contravention of the rule of law, including Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution,” and warned that such actions amount to contempt of court.
The 1996 Supreme Court ruling in the case of NHRC vs. State of Arunachal Pradesh had directed the state to protect the lives and personal liberty of every Chakma residing in Arunachal Pradesh from threats issued by organised groups, including quit notices and ultimatums reportedly circulated by AAPSU.
The judgment had clearly stated that any such threats must be addressed in accordance with the law.
Subas noted that despite this directive, the state continues to sideline legal processes by allowing AAPSU—a non-state actor—to function as “complainant, judge, jury, and executioner” in matters affecting the Chakma and Hajong populations.
He said this not only violates constitutional guarantees but also shows open disregard for the Supreme Court’s authority.
He further accused the state of failing to process any of the pending citizenship applications submitted by members of the Chakma and Hajong communities, which are the subject of a separate ongoing case (W.P.(C) 510/2007) before the Supreme Court.
As per the 1996 ruling, the state is barred from evicting or removing any individual Chakma while their application is under consideration.
Yet, according to RRAG, the state has continued to displace Chakma and Hajong individuals from their occupations, thereby violating this court order.
“This reflects poorly not only on the government of Arunachal Pradesh but on the integrity of governance in the country as a whole,” Chakma said, adding that it is the officials facilitating these actions who will be held accountable for contempt if the violations continue.
The July 8 meeting is expected to draw attendance from top state officials and representatives of AAPSU.
The developments surrounding the meeting have sparked renewed concern over the legal and humanitarian status of the Chakma and Hajong populations in Arunachal Pradesh, with the RRAG vowing to pursue further legal action if necessary.
