ITANAGAR, Dec 24: A day after the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) sought more time for the joint high power committee (JHPC) to conduct a thorough study of the permanent resident certificate (PRC) issue in the state, the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) and the All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) have urged the state government to book those individuals or groups who are allegedly using threats to force the JHPC to issue PRCs to non-APSTs before 7 January, 2019, under appropriate sections of the law.
The ANSU said it would not tolerate any such activity and do its best to “thwart such evil design.”
“As per the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, Govt Order No ST-2/94, Dated 09/02/1994, Office Memorandum No LR-31/84, dated 19/12/1988 and Notification No LR-31/84 (Pt), Dated 16/03/1999, no land possession certificate/permanent
resident certificate can be granted to non-APSTs who are non-natives/non-indigenous. Any administrative order or certificate or any other documents issued in contravention of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, is liable to cancellation.
“As per the BEFR, 1873, and other protective laws, the non-APSTs settled in different districts of Arunachal Pradesh cannot be treated as permanent residents as they are only ordinary residents of Arunachal Pradesh,” ANSU vice president Tana Sushil stated in a release on Monday.
He alleged that some groups were openly threatening the JHPC to issue PRCs to non-APSTs by 7 January or face consequences.
The All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) has also demanded that the state government immediately book the individuals and groups “who are politicizing the PRC issue for their personal political interest and openly threatening the JHPC and the state government to grant PRCs by 7 January, 2019.”
In a release the APPDSU said some groups of people were issuing the deadline with the support of Assam-based and non-APST organisations of Namsai, Changlang and Lohit districts and resorting to frequent blockade of highways and bandhs in Namsai district.
The union urged the state government to book them under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2014, and the highway laws.
“Their activities have created fear psychosis and insecurity among the people of Arunachal Pradesh, and may create chaos and confusion and law and order situation at any time,” the APPDSU said.
It also demanded that Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy CM Chowna Mein withdraw their statements assuring granting of PRCs to non-APSTs as a ‘New Year gift’.
“Even before the committee has submitted its report to the state government, the CM and the DCM stated that the JHPC would submit a positive report favouring non-APSTs. This statement is against the JHPC,” the union said.
Citing various provisions of the BEFR, 1873, the APPDSU cautioned the state government against violating the laid down norms.
