No dialogue on relocating Chakma, Hajongs: Himanta

Assam organisations, opposition against Union Min Rijiju’s statement

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday categorically denied any talks with the Centre on the possible relocation of the Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam, refuting his party colleague and union minister Kiren Rijiju’s statements on Monday.

At a press conference in Itanagar, Rijiju had said that the two refugee communities would be relocated to Assam and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Sarma had been holding talks for the same for the last three years.

The Chakmas, mostly Buddhists, settled in Arunachal Pradesh in the 1960s when parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where they originally lived, were submerged by a dam. The Hindu Hajongs migrated from East Pakistan around the same time because of alleged religious persecution.

Reacting to his statement, Sarma told reporters, “I don't know what Rijiju has said, but the government of India has not discussed these matters with us. Rijiju might have perhaps said something in view of the political situation in Arunachal Pradesh.”

The Chief Minister maintained that there was no land available to resettle the refugees and added, “No one from the Chakma or Hajong communities has met me nor has the government of India discussed it with me. I will speak with Rijiju about the matter after the elections."

Rijiju had said that the two communities were guests in Arunachal Pradesh and that the state not being within the purview of the Citizenship Amendment Act was a blessing. Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Bamang Felix and BJP MLA from Itanagar, Techi Kacho were present at the press conference. His statements kicked off a political storm in Assam evoking sharp reactions from political and non-political organizations.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Kumar Borah said, “If the statement of Rijiju is true, it will be very dangerous for Assam. He clearly said CAA is a blessing for Arunachal Pradesh. So, it is a curse for Assam.” He added that he didn't think Rijiju was lying. “If Shah says, Himanta will do it,” Borah said. He added that the timing of the statement surprised him as five constituencies in the state go to polls on Friday. “If you vote for BJP, you have to welcome the proposal for relocation of Chakma-Hajongs in Assam,” Borah said.

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said they had already expressed their doubt on CAA and Rijiju’s statement cleared it. "Our question remains that if the Act is not good for most parts of the North-East, how can it be okay for some areas of Assam," he questioned.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi earlier said that the Assam Chief Minister should clarify whether he had received any such instructions from the Center or Amit Shah. “If Rijiju is lying, Sarma should force him to apologise publicly,” he said. Echoing a similar opinion, All Assam Students' Union (AASU) chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya also reiterated their stand against the CAA.