The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has called upon the governments, both at the state and the Centre, to come clean on the Chakma and Hajong refugee issue in view of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Addressing reporters here on Monday evening, AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said, “There is a lot of apprehension in the minds of the people in the state on the Chakma and Hajong refugees and this should be cleared by the government at the earliest.

“We are clear that Arunachal Pradesh has been exempted from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. However, we are still unsure on the status of the Chakma and Hajong refugees who are settled in the state for decades. Though we also know that home minister Amit Shah and minister of state for youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju has assured us that the refugees would have to obtain an inner-line permit (ILP) to enter or stay in the state, we, however, need a concrete clarification/notification from the government on the same,” Dai said.

An AAPSU delegation met chief minister Pema Khandu earlier in the day and submitted a memorandum on the matter, he added.

“The chief minister has assured us that he would talk to the chief secretary and advocate-general and make public the state government’s stand in a couple of days,” he said.

A statement issued from the CMO later said, “The government of Arunachal Pradesh is examining the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and will come up with its official position at the earliest.”

Dai said though the Chakma and Hajong issue pertains to the state, AAPSU being the constituent of the North East Students’ Organisation (Neso) would always oppose the act and stick to the demand of its complete withdrawal from the Northeast.

Union president Hawa Bagang said, “Now that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has been cleared, the Chakma and Hajong refugees will try to obtain an identity in the state and the union would never let to happen.”

“Whatever it is to do with the refugees, their deal is with the central government and they should not interfere in our state’s matters,” said Bagang, further calling upon the Chakmas and Hajongs to cooperate with whatever steps the state government takes in regard to them.

The Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists while the Hajongs are Hindus.