Deport Chakma-Hajong refugees from Arunachal, President told

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has urged President Pranab Mukherjee to arrange for deporting Chakma-Hajong refugees and all foreign nationals from Arunachal Pradesh to protect the indigenous culture of the state.

'Illegal' settlement of Chakma and Hajong refugees has resulted in marginalisation of indigenous tribes like Noctes, Wangchow, Khamtis, Singphos and Tsanga in the eastern part of the state, the AAPSU said in a memorandum submitted to Mukherjee here yesterday.

"In the western part of the state, the Tibetans, Bhutanese and Nepalese have dominated over the indigenous Monpas, Sherdukpens, Akas and Mijis," it said.

In central Arunachal Pradesh, a "floating population of Bangladeshis" was creating tension among tribes of Nyishis, Adis, Galo, Apatani and Tagins, AAPSU said.

The apex students body of the state urged Mukherjee to expedite the dialogue process to find a permanent solution to the Chakma-Hajong refugees problem to protect the state's indigenous culture and its people.

AAPSU also requested the President to solve the boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and take up with the authorities the matter of China issuing stapled visas to people of the state.

Sportspersons from the state failed to take part in events in China because of the stapled visa, the memorandum said.