AAPSU against ST status to Mishings in Arunachal

Itanagar, Jul 15 (UNI) The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) today opposed the state government recent move to grant Schedule Tribe (ST) status to the Mishing community.

The AAPSU said the government's move was an "irresponsible act", and vowed to fight tooth and nail against it. The apex students' organisation said this was carried out hastily without taking the consent of the indigenous people.

" The AAPSU is leading a movement against this issue since its inception and any act to undermine or to subjugate our principle by issuing or granting ST status to any party would not be tolerated and compromised at any cost'', the AAPSU general secretary Ojing Tasing said.

Pointing out that as per the Chin Hill Act of 1896, the Miris (Mishings), Deoris and the Kacharis were recognised aboriginal indigenous schedule tribes of Asom and the Supreme Court in its recent ruling categorically said that the Deories were not aboriginal tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and had migrated from Asom and therefore, they were not to be included in Arunachal's ST list.

"The case of Mishing community is also to be treated on the same footing", Mr Tasing added.

Taking exception to the "vote bank" politics of some vested political leaders, the AAPSU said their alleged ill-motive would be checkmated in the interest of the indigenous and bonafide rights of the tribal of the state.

Meanwhile, the students' body has decided to visit all the district headquarters to urge the deputy commissioners to refrain from issuing ST certificates, permanent residential certificates, land allotment orders and trading licenses to any outsider or tribe not recognized as Arunachal Pradesh schedule tribe.

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