Dear Editor,
Arunachal Pradesh has already fought nearly five decades of refugee problem but no concrete result has been yielded till today. With the indigenous tribal population at around eight to nine lakhs, we are already marginalized.
On one side, the interstate boundary dispute between Arunachal and Assam is increasing day by day with a number of land encroachment carried out by Assam’s forest department. But our state government is neglecting the foothill regions as there are no proper road communication, medical facilities and institutes of higher education. Most of the disputed areas between Arunachal and Assam are occupied by non-indigenous people of Assam, which puts a strain on the age-old relationship.
There are many cases where these people got land patta from the Assam government to build houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna inside Arunachal’s territory in the foothills region. One example was last seen in July this year in Kangku circle of Lower Siang district. So, if the CAB is passed, lakhs of non-native population from Assam residing along Arunachal’s boundary will start creating more problems in the days to come.
The indigenous people of our state have already been outnumbered in many of the eastern parts. So Arunachal and the northeastern states can’t bear the burden of extra population.
Our land, rivers, resources and reserved forest areas would be safe and protected only if a limited population resides. We tribals are nature lovers and want to protect it forever. We never indulge in large-scale destruction of forests. Let every conscious and aware society and individual oppose the CAB 2019 unanimously in one voice.
Yours sincerely,
Kenmar Gibi,
Tatamori village,
Lower Siang