Chakma-Hajong resettlement in Assam: Kiren Rijiju clarifies, AASU hits back

 Rijiju clarified in front of the media his previous statement regarding the resettlement

Digital Desk: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s controversial claims about the proposed resettlement of the Chakma-Hajong community living in Arunachal as refugees to Assam. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma refuted the claims amid backlashes from the opposition in Assam. Consequently, Rijiju clarified his statement and said that some people in Assam have misinterpreted him.

On Thursday, Rijiju clarified in front of the media his previous statement regarding the resettlement: “I heard that some wrongdoers spread fake news in Assam, which I have not said, and tried to tarnish Assam CM’s image.”

He clarified that he discussed the matter of relocation with Himanta Biswa Sarma, a popular chief minister and NEDA chief, to seek his advice on the issue. He added, “Though Chakma-Hajong can’t be permanently settled in Arunachal Pradesh as it is against the Act of Parliament( 6th Schedule), therefore we were planning to explore new ways to settle them permanently in other states after discussing with the Home Minister Amit Shah.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distanced himself on Tuesday from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's controversial statements regarding resettling Arunachal Pradesh's Chakma-Hajong refugees in Assam, claiming that the national government had not communicated with the Assam government about the matter.

Sarma's statement drew severe condemnation from the Congress, which accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conniving against Assam. "This is a hazardous conspiracy against Assam, as revealed in Rijiju's news conference. And it appears that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is also engaged," Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah stated on Tuesday.

The Hindustan Times quoted Rijiju’s previous statement, “Arunachal Pradesh’s Chakma-Hajong refugees would be relocated to Assam and that these refugees would never have been allowed to settle down in Arunachal in the 1960s if the country had a Citizenship Amendment Act in place at the time.”

AASU strongly opposes Kiren Rijiju's remarks, questioning the truthfulness between statements made by two ruling leaders, Kiren Rijiju and Himanta Biswa Sarma. Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya, AASU Chief Advisor, emphasises the adherence to the Assam Accord in addressing the issue of foreigners. “If Rijiju's statement is accurate, AASU demands that the Government of Assam take action in alignment with the Accord's principles, as they do not endorse anything contrary to its provisions," he said.