ITANAGAR: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has stepped back from his recent comments on the resettlement of the Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Rijiju dismissed the uproar surrounding his remarks as propaganda orchestrated by vested interest groups aiming to mislead the public ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections’ second phase.
“The Chakmas and Hajongs won’t be granted citizenship in Arunachal Pradesh; however, I intended to explore legal options to relocate them to a different location. I had discussed this matter with Assam’s Chief Minister,” Rijiju clarified, seeking to quell the controversy.
Earlier, Rijiju’s proposal stirred controversy after reports circulated regarding the resettlement plan, prompting Assam’s Chief Minister Sarma to clarify the state government’s stance.
ALSO READ Opposition seek clarification from Assam CM over Rijiju’s Chakma & Hajong Assam resettlement plan
Sarma, while speaking on the sidelines of a poll rally in Assam on Wednesday, had highlighted that there were no plans to relocate the Chakma and Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.
He also denied engaging in discussions with Arunachal Pradesh on the matter, stating that talks primarily focused on addressing citizenship issues for the Moran and Muttock people residing in Arunachal Pradesh, who hail from eastern Assam.
The Opposition swiftly condemned the BJP-led Assam government over Rijiju’s proposal, with Raijor Dol chief and Sivsagar legislator, Akhil Gogoi, demanding clarity from Chief Minister Sarma.
Similar objections were raised by the Assam Congress and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), questioning the government’s stance on the issue.
The issue of settling approximately 67,000 Chakmas and Hajongs residing in Arunachal Pradesh has remained contentious with indigenous communities strongly oppose granting citizenship to these refugee groups.
