Mizoram: Chakma and Hajong students protest over RPC cancellation row

The Resident Proof Certificates (RPC) cancellation row gained momentum after hundreds of students and youths from the Chakma and Hajong communities staged a protest in Mizoram against the Arunachal Pradesh government's decision to cancel RPC to the said communities.

Notably, the protest rally witnessed the participation of hundreds of students, youths and the general public gathered in solidarity with the Chakma and Hajong communities residing in Arunachal Pradesh.

As per reports, the organisers arrested that the protest will continue until the Arunachal government resolve the matter with the representatives of both communities.

Also Read: Chakma-Hajong communities stage protest against Arunachal government in New Delhi

The protest rally was organised by AICSU (All India Chakma Students' Union), MCSU (Mizoram Chakma Students' Union), YCA (Young Chakma Association), CMS (Chakma Mahila Samiti) and CNCI (Chakma National Council of India).

Earlier, Members of the Chakma-Hajong community on January 8 staged a massive protest against the Arunachal government and demanded the restoration of their Residential Proof Certificates. 

The Arunachal government had withdrawn Residential Proof Certificates the last year. 

The protest was held at the Jantar Mantar and was attended by hundreds of members of the Chakma and Hajong communities who raised their voices against the cancellation of the Residential Proof Certificates. 

The protestors also reiterated their demand to restore the RPCs as soon as possible and also accused the government of neglecting their community.

More than 20 thousand people from Chakma-Hajong communities from across the state came together to protest against the State government. It comprises students, community-based organizations, NGOs, and the general public members from the neighbouring communities also supported the movement. 

The Union started the non-cooperation movement on the 23rd of December 2022 in continuation of the past movements against the Government's inaction to restore the RPC, leaving the public offices and weekly markets deserted and schools without students. 

"Despite a series of protests and memorandum submissions, the State Government failed to address the issue yet. APCSU would remain firm in its stand and unequivocally assert that the Union will not let Government succeed in its attempt to rob and trample Chakma-Hajongs into the ground and drag their existence into the dust,'' Drishya Muni Chakma, the president of  Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students' Union (APCSU) had said while condemning the government.