The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene in the alleged systematic targeting of Chakma voters in Arunachal Pradesh. According to the New Delhi-based tribal body, at least 1,292 Chakma electors in four Assembly constituencies are being targeted during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CDFI claimed that the targeted electors include 413 voters in Bordumsa-Diyum, 49 in Miao, 774 in Doimukh, and 56 in Chowkham constituencies. The organisation sought the deployment of ECI observers and central security forces during hearings scheduled from September 2 at Diyun and Bordumsa. CDFI founder Suhas Chakma pointed out that one individual had filed objections against up to 30 Chakma electors for not being Indian citizens, despite not knowing them personally, exposing a pattern.
The CDFI highlighted that the Chakmas’ citizenship by birth had been upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2000 and reinforced by an ECI order in 2004. The organisation also cited judgments from the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court in 2015 and 2013, respectively, which went in favour of the Chakma people. Suhas Chakma stated that the Chakmas have been voting in Arunachal Pradesh for the last 26 years.
The CDFI expressed concerns over the acceptance of objections against 41 Chakma voters in Moitripur under Bordumsa-Diyum constituency after the expiry of the prescribed deadline, terming it a violation of the rule of law. The organisation also recalled the ECI order of 2004, which described non-inclusion of Chakma voters as racial discrimination, citing Article 325 of the Constitution.
The CDFI urged the ECI to direct the Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh, and concerned Electoral Registration Officers to disallow objections filed against Chakma electors and to depute independent observers to monitor hearings. The organisation also sought directions to the Union and Arunachal Pradesh governments to deploy central security forces during hearings to ensure Chakmas and Hajongs are not subjected to intimidation, coercion, or undue influence.
The organisation expressed fears of violence during hearings, noting that objections were filed after the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) constituted a committee to remove non-citizen entries from electoral rolls. The CDFI recalled the Supreme Court’s judgment in 1996, which directed deployment of central security forces to protect the life and liberty of Chakmas in the state.
