New Delhi: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) on Friday approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking immediate enforcement of the Supreme Court's 1996 judgment protecting the Chakma community in Arunachal Pradesh after Chakma electors were allegedly prevented from appearing at Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings in Changlang district.
According to the CDFI, the hearing at Bordumsa in Changlang district was disrupted following protests by members of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), forcing authorities to postpone the proceedings. The office of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) was also reportedly damaged during the unrest.
The foundation said the hearing had already been affected on the previous day. Of the 252 Form 6 applications scheduled for hearing, only 222 could be taken up, while just 150 of the 303 applications were heard before the proceedings were halted due to violence.
Condemning the incidents, CDFI founder Suhas Chakma said the recurrence of violence exposed the "absolute failure" of the Arunachal Pradesh government to maintain law and order.
"The repeat of the violence today after yesterday's incidents exposes the absolute failure of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in all aspects. The situation should never have been allowed to reach a stage where people resort to widespread violence and stone-pelting," he said.
The CDFI informed the NHRC that the violence had created a serious threat to the lives and personal liberty of Chakmas and Hajongs participating in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
In its complaint, the organization urged the Commission to enforce the Supreme Court's landmark judgment in National Human Rights Commission vs State of Arunachal Pradesh (1996), which directed the state government to protect the life and liberty of every Chakma residing in Arunachal Pradesh and prevent any attempts by organized groups to forcibly evict or intimidate them. The judgment further authorized the state to seek additional police or paramilitary forces from the Union Government, if required, to ensure their protection.
Citing the incidents of violence on September 3 and 4, the CDFI requested the NHRC to issue directions to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Election Commission of India to ensure adequate security for Chakma and Hajong residents during the remaining SIR hearings and safeguard their constitutional rights.