KANCHANPUR: The Chakma National Council of India (CNCI) has called for immediate implementation of the Supreme Court verdict to grant citizenship to Chakmas and Hajongs settled in Arunachal Pradesh.
"How can Chakmas live in Arunachal Pradesh in a state of perpetual statelessness," a resolution adopted at the two-day CNCI conference, which ended here yesterday, said.It demanded government action against the "vested interests" who are trying to stall the implementation of the apex court's verdict.
The CNCI, spearheading the rights of the Chakma tribals, also called upon the Centre to ensure that Chakmas are not deprived of their franchise in states like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chakmas have a substantial population in Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. In Tripura alone the Chakma population is 79,813.The resolution demanded the strengthening of the Chakma District Autonomous Council in Mizoram.
The CNCI urged the West Bengal government to help implement plans to install a giant Buddha statute at New Town area in Kolkata with meditation centres and pilgrim rest houses.
"This will help West Bengal garner a part of the revenue from the east and southeast Asian Buddhist tourist
flow," it said.
Union Minister of State for Home Rijiju had stated last month that the Centre will grant citizenship to all
Chakma and Hajong refugees living in the Northeast but ensure that the rights of indigenous people are not diluted. He had stated that a "middle ground" would be chosen so the 2015 Supreme Court order to grant citizenship to Chakma-Hajong refugees could be honoured and the rights of the local population not diluted.