Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 3 Sep: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) on Thursday warned of a strong response to any threat against its executive members and leaders engaged in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bordumsa-Diyun area of Changlang district.
The warning comes amid a controversy over voter enrolment in Bordumsa-Diyun, where the AAPSU has alleged the inclusion of illegal, bogus and non-genuine names in the electoral rolls, including suspected entries involving Chakma-Hajong and other refugee populations.
AAPSU president Meje Taku said the union's members and volunteers involved in the SIR exercise are working in the interest of the state and its indigenous people, and cautioned against any attempt to threaten or harm them.
"If a single hair on their head is touched, if anything untoward happens to them, AAPSU will not tolerate it, and we will respond in a manner that leaves no doubt about our resolve," Taku said in a statement.
Taku said the union would not allow the identity and interests of Arunachal's indigenous people to be compromised.
"Any officer, MLA, or minister found shielding or facilitating such elements will be held answerable to the people of this state, and AAPSU will not remain silent," Taku said.
The union said that its members engaged in the SIR exercise are discharging a "lawful responsibility," and added that it would hold authorities and individuals accountable for any threat, intimidation or harm against them.
The apex students' body of the state also urged the SIR committee and the district administration to ensure transparency and strict verification at every stage of the revision process, so that no ineligible or bogus voter is included in the electoral rolls.
The union said it would continue to monitor the SIR exercise across the state, and warned public representatives and officials against supporting the enrolment of allegedly ineligible voters.
SIR suspended following AAPSU's intervention
Meanwhile, the ongoing SIR of the electoral enrolment process in Bijoypur in Changlang district was reportedly suspended following intervention by the AAPSU members on Thursday.
Sources in Bordumsa informed that the AAPSU accused Bordumsa Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sabadan Tayang of favouring Chakma-Hajong and facilitating their enrolment into the SIR by bypassing the existing law. The AAPSU further accused that the ADC is not cooperating with the AAPSU members, especially by not allowing the objectors to cross-check the suspected illegal voters.
However, ADC Tayang rejected the allegation.
"The AAPSU has issued an order that no Tibetan, Bhutanese, Burmese, Chakma-Hajong and non-APST should enrol in the electoral roll as Arunachal is protected under the special regulation called the Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873. We are against Tibetans, Burmese, Bhutanese and any non-APST, as Arunachal is protected under the Bengal Frontier Regulation," said AAPSU vice president (protocol) Nabam Gandhi.
The AAPSU further issued a strong warning against illegal voters who are attempting to enrol themselves during the SIR.
The AAPSU's intervention in the SIR process led to a brief confrontation with Chakma-Hajong students' union. Later, the situation was brought under control by the police and the district administration. (With PTI input)
