AP CM announces committee to safeguard indigenous people's rights

GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the formation of a consultative committee to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of Arunachal following the central government’s proposal for enactment of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB).

Joining the BJP’s Sankalp Yatra to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Chief Minister said the committee will bring together all the community-based organisations, civil societies and the Students Union of the state for consultation on the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Addressing a huge gathering, Chief Minister said the committee will take inputs from the civil society organisations on adding ‘safeguards’ to the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill so that the protections given to the tribal people of Arunachal under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 and Chin Hill Regulations Act of 1896 is not diluted.

He said the committee will also be responsible for interpreting the various provisions of the CAB and adding clauses for protection of Arunachali people.

Chief Minister Khandu further said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the recent NEDA meeting at Guwahati, had assured that the Bill will not override any provisions that have for long protected the rights of the tribal people of the North East.

Khandu also informed that state government had earlier requested the union government to table the bill in the Parliament by adequately addressing the concerns of the indigenous people of the state.

Speaking on boosting investment in the state, Chief Minister announced to hold an investment summit focused at Arunachali entrepreneurs. He said the objective of the summit will be to encourage Arunachali entrepreneurs to start investing in their own state in newer areas other than constructions. The next step, the Chief Minister said, will be directed at outside entrepreneurs. He said the state government also wishes to attempt at different models of investment that aim for joint investment by local and outside entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the tourism prospect of Upper Siang, Chief Minister said the Pemakod region in the district is set to attract huge number of tourists from the country and abroad as it is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site and was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 7th century. He also said the Buddhist circuit all over the world attracts huge inflow of tourists, notwithstanding the immense importance being given to its development by the government of India.

Earlier Health Minister Alo Libang and BJP MP Tapir Gao also spoke.

Chief Minister earlier took part in the Gandhi Sankalp Yatra, where he visited a fish farm of a local progressive farmer and appreciated the farmer for optimally using the land for pisciculture, animal husbandry and rice cultivation. He also met local BJP workers during the yatra and interacted with them to strengthen the party.