Never said Chakma-Hajongs will be settled in Assam: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has cleared the air over his purported remark that the Chakma-Hajongs of Arunachal will be relocated to Assam.

Rijiju clarified that his statement has been twisted and misinterpreted allegedly with an aim to tarnish the image of Assam Chief Minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“My statement has been misinterpreted. There is an attempt to create a confusion during polls and tarnish the image of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Anyway the Chakmas and Hajongs don’t get permanent citizenship in Arunachal. Would still appeal the court for a provision to resettle the Chakma Hajong community people to some other location. I had also appealed Himanta Biswa Sarma to help us in this regard”, said Rijiju.

Rijiju alleged that his remark has been fabricated to create confusion at a time when Lok Sabha polls was underway in Assam.

The remark had drawn sharp reactions from Assam with even Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma clarifying that the Centre has not discussed anything over the relocation of Chakma-Hajong refugees.

CM Sarma has refuted claims of discussions with the central government regarding the relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugees to Assam. Sarma’s statement follows Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s remarks suggesting talks to relocate these refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam post the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Furthermore, Sarma emphasized that no land was available in Assam for resettling the refugees, underlining logistical challenges in accommodating them.