Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced that the state government will constitute four high-powered committees to review APST certificates, examine issues concerning non-APST offspring, strengthen the Inner Line Permit (ILP) framework and check infiltration in the state. “Formation of four high-powered committees has been agreed upon following discussions with Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), CBOs, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), ST Bachao Andolan Committee, Government officials and legal experts on the four key demands raised by the ST Bachao Andolan,” the Chief Minister said.
The committees will examine and recommend measures on re-verification of APST certificates, non-APST offspring issue strengthening the ILP framework and review of ILP Guidelines 2026, and illegal infiltration. Each committee will be led by a Cabinet Minister-rank leadership and will include representatives from AITF, AAPSU, ST Bachao Andolan Committee, legal experts, research scholars and women representatives to ensure a balanced, inclusive and action-oriented process. The official notification constituting the committees will be issued by Monday.
The move follows a series of consultations held between the state government and stakeholders, including a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister on May 27 and another consultative session at the civil secretariat on Friday. The committees have been asked to submit their recommendations within six months, although the timeline may be extended depending on field studies and stakeholder consultations. To ensure regular monitoring of the process, three review meetings will be held under the chairmanship of the chief minister during the course of the committees’ work. The development comes amid growing demands from indigenous groups for stronger implementation of the ILP regime and resolution of issues linked to tribal identity, demographic changes and the status of different communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
