The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Friday demanded the immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Chakma-Hajong inhabited areas and other places with Chakma-Hajong voters, following violence during protests at Bordumsa in Changlang district.
“Our clear-cut demand to the Arunachal government is the immediate suspension of the SIR exercise across Chakma-Hajong inhabited areas and places with Chakma-Hajong voters,” AAPSU president Meje Taku said at a press conference following a meeting held after the violence.
Taku said an AAPSU activist was injured during the unrest and alleged that members of the students’ organisation had been attacked. The union demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the violence and the injury to its activist, including the alleged “ring leaders”. It also urged the government not to register any FIR against AAPSU members in connection with the incident.
AAPSU general secretary said videos circulating on social media showed AAPSU leaders being attacked during Friday’s incident, allegedly by members of the Chakma and Hajong communities. He maintained that the SIR is a regular exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India and that AAPSU members had gone to the area to attend the process.
The students’ body has called a meeting of political parties, social organisations, unions and branch student organisations on September 12 at DK Hall. The meeting will discuss the situation, adopt a final resolution and decide the organisation’s next course of action.
“The Arunachal government now has to answer us on the Chakma and Hajong issue, refugees, illegal immigrants and the interests of the indigenous people of the state,” Taku said.
Taku said AAPSU had constituted an SIR committee several months ago under the leadership of its vice-president to monitor the electoral-roll revision process across Arunachal Pradesh. According to him, members of the committee visited different parts of the state on Friday and found the process peaceful except in Bordumsa.
Taku further said, “No one can dictate to the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh. We will decide who can stay in this state. We have suffered for a long time; we will no longer suffer more. We will retaliate.”
The AAPSU statements came after tension broke out in Bordumsa during protests over the ongoing SIR hearing process at the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC).
Members of AAPSU, the Bordumsa Students’ Union and other organisations had gathered to protest the alleged inclusion of members of the Chakma community in the SIR process. The situation later escalated, with reports of clashes and firing in the area.
The identity of those who allegedly opened fire and the circumstances that led to the firing have not yet been established. An AAPSU leader was also reportedly injured in a machete attack during the unrest.
Responding to allegations that AAPSU members were involved in the firing, Taku said there had been no reported bullet injuries and claimed that the injuries were caused by sharp weapons.
Security personnel have been deployed in Bordumsa to maintain law and order and prevent any further escalation.
Taku said the September 12 meeting would decide “the next move of AAPSU and the next move of indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh” and appealed to organisations working for their interests to participate.
