ITANAGAR, 15 Jul: The union cabinet on Wednesday decided to include the names of Monpa, Sajolang (Miji), Sartang, Tai Khamti, Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi) and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi) in lieu of ‘Mishmi’, ‘Idu, and ‘Taraon’, and Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa and Wancho in lieu of ‘Any Naga tribe’ in the constitution’s ST list.
The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to place the Constitution (ST) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the monsoon session of the parliament.
Accordingly, the name of the Khampti tribe would be replaced with Tai Khamti, while the names of the tribes Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi) and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi) would be included in the list.
The names of Monpa, Memba, Sartang and Sajolang would also be included in the list in lieu of ‘Momba’.
The cabinet also approved the inclusion of Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa and Wancho in the constitution’s ST list in lieu of ‘Any Naga tribe’.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed gratefulness to the prime minister for giving approval to modify the list of names of the scheduled tribes (ST) of the state.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Khandu said, “A historic cabinet decision today. The indigenous nomenclature of various tribes of Arunachal will be added to Constitution #ScheduledTribe list. Thank you PM @narendramodi Ji for giving back the original nomenclature to tribes who were earlier referred by incorrect names.”
AAPSU welcomes decision
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has also welcomed the union cabinet’s decision, and termed it “historic.”
“The union cabinet’s decision has given these tribes their definite identity from the ambiguous status they were in for the last 74 years,” the AAPSU said.
It expressed gratitude to the prime minister, the MPs from Arunachal, the state government and all those who at different times had stood up for the issue, “notably former union minister and present MLA Ninong Ering for his instrumental role for the historic decision.”
Meanwhile, an AAPSU team called on MP Tapir Gao on Wednesday and apprised him of the recent violence committed by Chakmas in Lohit district. The union also urged the MP to “bring in motion the anomalies in the AIS Act, 1950, in the coming monsoon session of the parliament for height relaxation in the UPSC exams.” (With PTI input)
