The All Arunachal Tribal Students Union (AATSU) has raised strong concerns over Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement regarding the issuance of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) to the Moran community. While the decision is being celebrated by the Morans, AATSU warns that it poses a direct threat to the socio-cultural fabric and territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh. The students’ union fears that granting PRC status to Morans could reignite long-standing border disputes between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. With Arunachal striving to protect its indigenous communities, AATSU argues that this move might create political instability and weaken the enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, which is safeguarded under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873.
While acknowledging Assam’s authority in granting PRCs, AATSU insists that Morans who receive this status should no longer be considered legitimate residents of Arunachal Pradesh. The organization has urged both the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to take immediate steps for the relocation of Morans and other non-tribal individuals currently residing in Lekang. “A clear relocation plan is necessary to ensure that Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous rights remain protected,” an AATSU representative stated. The union believes that failing to address this issue promptly could lead to regional unrest and disrupt communal harmony.
AATSU has called upon the Assam government to acknowledge these concerns and take proactive measures to prevent potential conflicts. The students’ body emphasized that the constitutional safeguards under the BEFR, 1873, must be upheld to protect the indigenous population of Arunachal Pradesh.
