Photo Courtesy: nenews
Itanagar: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) is demanding that the Election Commission of India (ECI) deploy observers and central security forces to Arunachal Pradesh. Tensions are rising. The foundation fears violence during upcoming hearings for 1,292 Chakma electors currently facing citizenship challenges under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
These objections span four Assembly constituencies: 774 voters in Doimukh, 413 in Bordumsa-Diyum, 56 in Chowkham, and 49 in Miao. Hearings start September 2 in Diyun and Bordumsa. CDFI founder Suhas Chakma claims the process is being weaponized. He noted that single individuals have filed boilerplate objections against up to 30 voters they do not even know.
Suhas Chakma stated, "One individual filed objections against up to 30 Chakma electors for not being Indian citizens despite not being aware of these electors and this exposes the pattern." He pointed to multiple court rulings, including a 2015 Supreme Court judgment and a 2000 Delhi High Court decision, as proof of their citizenship. Chakmas have voted in the state for 26 years.
Procedural errors are also surfacing. Officials accepted objections against 41 voters in 41-Moitripur on August 22, two days past the August 20 deadline. The CDFI links this push to an All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) committee formed July 14 to target these specific groups. The ECI previously identified similar exclusions as racial discrimination under Article 325 of the Constitution. The CDFI wants an end to outside interference and strict individual verification to stop the mass purge of Chakma and Hajong communities.
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