ITANAGAR, 3 Oct: The Changlang District Indigenous People’s Forum (CDIPF) on Friday strongly opposed the re-submission of the proposal for the creation of a new district, bifurcating from Changlang, by the Changlang DC to the state government.
The CDIPF said that its opposition does not arise from denial of benefits of decentralization, but that “the current process has been undertaken in a manner that undermines democratic principles of public consultation, accountability, and inclusivity, which are the bedrock of any administrative restructuring in a tribal and plural society.”
It stated that the exercise of district bifurcation is a matter of grave public importance, as it alters governance structures, resource distribution, and community representation. It sought transparency and urged the DC to consult the affected public of the district.
“The current proposal has been re-submitted without holding a single consultative meeting with the six directly affected circles of Miao, Bordumsa, Diyun, Kharsang, Nampahi, and Vijaynagar. This exclusion amounts to silencing the voices of thousands of citizens whose lives and futures will be directly shaped by this decision,” the CDIPF stated in a representation to the DC.
It called for a fresh, transparent, and democratic process that truly reflects the will of the people.
The forum also alleged that the re-submission is based on documents and data prepared in 2017. “In the last eight years since 2017, there have been significant changes in demographic patterns, infrastructural development, administrative accessibility, and socio-political realities,” the forum said, adding that all the records are outdated “and there is no cross-verification with the present scenario.”
The forum stated that the manner in which the proposal is being pushed forward reflected “vested interests of a few individuals, rather than the collective will of the people of the district.”
The absence of transparency raises doubts about the intent and impartiality of the process, the representation read.
“By bypassing public consultation and relying on obsolete documents, this re-submission sets a dangerous precedent of top-down imposition, ignoring the participatory rights of the people,” it added.
CDIPF chairman Nongcha Langching said, “Communities that have historically functioned under a single administrative unit may suddenly find themselves divided into separate districts. Such division without dialogue can fuel mistrust, rivalry, and friction between tribes and sub-tribes.”
It urged the state government to cancel the re-submitted letter, and demanded organizing a fresh consultative meeting with representatives of all circles, including student bodies, public leaders, women’s groups, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and fairness.
On 15 September, Changlang Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sah had written a letter to the DA secretary, re-submitting the proposal in connection with creation of a new district, Rima, bifurcating from Changlang, with its headquarters in Miao.
