Amidst concern and worry among the Chakmas and Hajongs on the proposed CAB to be tabled in both the houses of parliament and on the other hand, the deteriorating overall living conditions and future looking bleak, a timely delegation of 7-member delegation led by CRDO President called on the Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai on 25th November 2019.
The Hon’ble Minister gave the delegation first audience and a 6-point memorandum was submitted to him which inter alia, included CRDO’s demand for:
- Restorations of full-fledged rights by revoking the impugned circulars striping of our rights
- All fundamental rights in line with Citizenship Act, 1955 as amended from time to time.
- Issue passport, PRC and ST certificates to Chakmas / Hajong Indian citizens by birth.
- Provide MGNREGA & other Central/ State govt. schemes /benefits to all Chakma populace.
- Enrolment of all eligible Chakma & Hajong voters
The delegation stressed upon the need to resolve the issue once and for all by eliminating the root cause of mistaken identity through a corrective policy action.
Subsequently, the delegation also met key officials of NHRC and Election Commission of India on 26th Nov 2019. They were very receptive to our requests and assured the delegation of help as and when needed.
The New Delhi visit shall lay the foundation for Restoration of Rights based on this truth-based approach and open new avenues for resolution of the problem. CRDO takes this opportunity to thank all the delegates, well-wishers and donors / organizations without whose moral and financial support it would not have been possible.
Letter to Prime Minister
Earlier a letter to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narenda Modi ji was written by the President of CRDO on 15 August 2018 requesting the PM for political recognition of Chakmas and Hajong migrants as citizens of India, either through en-masse declaration or implementation of the Supreme Court order, special revision for enrolment of about 25,000 eligible voters and inclusion of all Chakma areas under local self-government (PRI) ; socio-economic rights and access to development schemes under the MGNREGA, NRLM, PMGAY, etc., government jobs/ employment , PRC, ration card and all other PDS entitlements, recognition of Chakma and Hajong tribes as ST in AP under article 342 of the Indian constitution and a one-time special package to compensate for the historical injustices done during the last 5 decades. A request for maintaining a conducive environment and peaceful co-existence to all the stakeholders and stop unnecessary harassment of poor and marginalized Chakma farmers commuting to and from Assam to sell vegetables at the state border areas/gates in the name of ILP, amongst other requests was placed before the Hon’ble PM for necessary consideration.
The same has been forwarded to the state government for necessary action on 3rd Sep 2018 and is pending with the concerned authorities in the state.