By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 31: Following a protest against the Arunachal Pradesh state government’s decision of adopting the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy, ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has assured that the policy adopted by the state government will not affect the indigenous people.
“The Tibetans are not claiming any citizenship but staying in three settlements in the state in an organized way unlike the Chakma and Hajong refugees,” state
BJP president Tapir Gao said.
He also added that the policy have been framed since the Dalai Lama came into exile and took political asylum in India.
“The policy which is being reviewed every 20 years is not an act so far. Since we respect human rights, we are obliged to follow the policy,” he said.
An Itanagar-based NGO, Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) had voiced its opposition against the government’s decision of adopting the policy. In its appeal, ACS had questioned the government over the lack of developmental policies for the indigenous people of the state.
In its appeal to CM Pema Khandu’s Administration, Patey Tayum, Chairman of ACS had said, “It is clear that Tibetans are getting more facilities than people of Arunachal. Then why the state government wants to groom the Tibetan refugees while neglecting the needs of indigenous tribes of the state?”
The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) has also come forward urging the people not to worry over the implementation of the policy.
The party in its official statement said, “The policy will not make any impact on the socio-economic development and change the state’s demography. Rather we should stand together to extend our solidarity for the cause of the Tibetans who are fighting for genuine autonomous region within the People’s Republic of China.”
The state of Arunachal Pradesh on August 12, had officially adopted the Act introduced in 2014 by the government of India to assist in the welfare of the Tibetan refugees residing in India. The state has four Tibetan settlements in Tezu, Miao, Tuting and Tenzingang.
