Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the general public of Arunachal Pradesh to two very grave issues which are being ignored.
Firstly, the way the Muslim population is increasing in different parts of the state, particularly in the ICR, is very concerning. The ILP, which should be used to curb these illegal immigrants, seems to have completely failed as many immigrants have been caught with fake ILPs. The number of immigrants has recently increased as the neighbouring state Assam has started a mass crackdown on illegal immigrants, and our authority does not seem to be serious about the same in our state.
These immigrants have been involved in various criminal activities in the state, eg, rape case in Tezu, drug peddling, filming a female student while changing clothes in West Kameng, and so on.
Moreover, the way local people are donating their land for the construction of mosques, they should be aware of the Waqf Act, 1995, in which it is clearly stated that once a land or any property given away in the name of Allah, it cannot be taken back. Any dispute regarding it will be heard in the Waqf tribunal, where all the judges and lawyers are Muslims and the judgement passed by the tribunal is final and cannot be challenged in any other court. What if the land donated to the Waqf by the locals is used for the settlement of immigrants in the state? If so, we cannot do anything because they will be legally right. By the way, Muslims are the third largest landowners in the country after the armed forces and the Railways.
Secondly, of late I have come to know that non-APSTs residing in the state have the right vote in the state and municipal elections. This a clear threat to the indigenous population as they will influence the policymaking of the state. And once they overpopulate the land, they will demand permanent residence, land rights, jobs, etc. And we know how corrupt our politicians are; they will readily accept these demands just to win the elections.
Way forward
- Remove non-APSTs from the electoral rolls.
- Do not donate any land for the construction of permanent structure and do not sign any agreement without understanding the terms and conditions of the Waqf.
Techi Tara,
Chimpu