ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday said that his government respects the emotions of the people and will not move away from its stand on the Chakma Hajong issue.
"Our government is here not to run away from challenges but to face them and resolve them," he said addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) here.
Khandu appealed the people to wait and watch the ongoing assembly proceedings, which is expected to raise the issue of Chakma and Hajongs in view of the Supreme Court's directive to grant them Indian citizenship.
On the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy, he said that the Assembly would come out with a consensus and appealed all not to view both issues in the same light.
Exhorting the student community to stress on education while keeping alive to happenings of concern around them, Khandu said that the AAPSU has produced several legislators, politicians, state level officers and even a Chief Minister but hardly any IAS, IPS or IFS officers.
Brushing asides speculations about his stand on the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was also present, said he stands firm on his stand that rights of the indigenous communities of the state will not be compromised.
Congratulating the AAPSU on reaching the milestone, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was the Chief Guest, recollected his days in All Assam Students' Union and North East Students Organization.