Arunachal’s Diyun: 8,000 Chakma-Hajong demand permanent citizenship in massive referendum

In a historic show of unity, nearly 8,000 members of the Chakma and Hajong communities participated in a massive public referendum at Diyun on Friday, demanding a final and permanent solution to their decades-long struggle for citizenship and residency rights. 

The event, organized by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), has been described by its conveners as a turning point in the communities’ ongoing fight for justice.

Despite soaring temperatures, participants from across the region gathered in solidarity, underscoring their determination to end more than six decades of uncertainty, marginalization, and socio-economic hardship. The referendum, symbolic yet significant, sent a clear message to the state and central governments about the urgency of resolving the issue once and for all.

Prominent leaders attending the gathering included Diyun-Bordumsa MLA Nikh Kamin, former MLA Samlung Mosaang, and former MLA K.G. Singpho. On behalf of the JAC, chairman Mahendra Chakma and general secretary Arunjit Chakma submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh through MLA Nikh Kamin, outlining the community’s demands for permanent resolution of their status.

Speaking at the event, MLA Nikh Kamin stressed the necessity of a timely solution to the long-pending issue, while Samlung Mosaang and JAC chairman Mahendra Chakma highlighted the communities’ historical displacement and ongoing neglect. “We have lived in uncertainty for decades, despite legal assurances. It is time for the government to implement directives and recognize our rights fully,” said Mahendra Chakma.

Background of the Chakma-Hajong Issue

The Chakma (mostly Buddhist) and Hajong (mostly Hindu) communities were originally from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Displaced during the 1960s due to the Kaptai dam project and religious persecution, over 14,000 refugees were resettled in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), now Arunachal Pradesh, between 1964 and 1969.

Since their resettlement, the communities have faced prolonged conflict with local groups and the state government over citizenship and residency rights. Indigenous organizations have consistently expressed concerns that granting full citizenship could alter the state’s demographic composition and impact the rights of local tribes.

In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to grant citizenship to eligible Chakma and Hajong refugees. However, activists have alleged a complete lack of implementation by state authorities. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intervened multiple times, most recently in September 2025, directing both the Union and Arunachal Pradesh governments to process citizenship applications and provide eligible members with legal recognition.

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Adding to recent developments, in July 2025, the Arunachal Pradesh government held a high-level meeting with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) to discuss the Chakma-Hajong issue and concerns regarding illegal immigrants. Following the meeting, the state government decided to demarcate the original settlement areas of the Chakma and Hajong communities. This step aims to balance demographic concerns while protecting the rights of the displaced communities.

Community Mobilization and Public Sentiment

The referendum in Diyun reflects not only the determination of the Chakma and Hajong communities but also growing momentum for a peaceful, organized, and public expression of their demands. The turnout of nearly 8,000 participants indicates the scale of support and the seriousness with which the communities view the matter.

Organizers emphasized that the referendum is a non-violent, democratic assertion of rights, urging the government to respect both the Supreme Court’s directives and the NHRC’s recommendations. “This is not just a protest; it is a collective demand for justice and recognition, backed by decades of resilience,” said JAC general secretary Arunjit Chakma.

The event, despite harsh weather, featured cultural displays, speeches, and the formal submission of the memorandum. Leaders stressed that the long-standing uncertainty over citizenship and residency status has led to social and economic hardships, restricting access to education, employment, and property rights.

With recent government interventions and increased public awareness, the Chakma-Hajong issue has gained momentum in Arunachal Pradesh, drawing attention from policymakers, media, and human rights bodies. Friday’s massive gathering in Diyun is expected to add further pressure on the state and Union governments to take concrete and permanent measures for resolving the issue.