Chakma-Hajong Relocation Issue Sparks Debate in Arunachal Pradesh

The contentious issue of relocating Chakma and Hajong communities from Arunachal Pradesh has resurfaced, with Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), urging northeastern states to share the migrant burden and bolster national security by countering China’s aggressive border village expansion under its 'Xiaokang Project.'

Chakma appealed to the Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal, Mizoram, and Tipra Motha leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarma to discuss with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu the equitable sharing of migrants. This follows Khandu’s recent meeting with Chakma leaders, described as workers of a local MLA, on October 7, 2025, where he raised the issue of relocating the Chakma and Hajong communities.

“Arunachal Pradesh, with a population density of just 17 persons per square kilometre compared to India’s 48, can accommodate more people. If it seeks other states to share its burden, it must also share theirs,” Chakma stated, emphasising the need for reciprocity among states.

Highlighting national security concerns, Chakma called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. He pointed out China’s 'Xiaokang Project,' which involves building 628 villages along the Indo-China border, including 90 new ones near Arunachal Pradesh’s Line of Actual Control (LAC). “Arunachal needs more people, not fewer, to counter this threat. Expelling Indian citizens, even Chakmas, undermines national security,” he argued.

The Chakma and Hajong settlements in Arunachal Pradesh trace back to post-1962 Indo-China war efforts to populate the sparsely inhabited North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). The Assam Rifles settled about 2,000 ex-servicemen in Vijaynagar, alongside Chakma and Hajong migrants, as part of a strategic initiative. The Supreme Court, in its 1989 judgment (Assam Rifles Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd. vs Union of India), endorsed such settlements, noting their importance for India’s border security with China and Myanmar.

However, Chakma alleged ongoing persecution of both Chakma-Hajong communities and ex-Assam Rifles personnel, citing non-implementation of settlement schemes. A recent Supreme Court ruling on April 29, 2025, addressed the protection of ex-Assam Rifles personnel. He further noted that Chakmas who migrated in 1964 remain without citizenship, despite a 1996 Supreme Court judgment, and face continued discrimination.

Chakma cautioned Arunachal Pradesh against relocating the estimated 3,000 Chakma-Hajong individuals, emphasising that descendants of these migrants are Indian citizens by birth under the Citizenship Act of 1955 and exercise voting rights. “Relocating citizens or conducting an illegal census violates constitutional rights to life, freedom of movement, equality, and non-discrimination,” he warned, asserting that Chakma citizens hold equal rights to other tribal citizens of Arunachal Pradesh.

He also criticised attempts to project certain Chakma workers, linked to a ruling party ally, as community representatives favouring relocation. “The Chakma community will not permit such tactics,” Chakma declared, signalling potential legal resistance to any forced relocation efforts.