Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has distanced himself from recent claims made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the proposed relocation of Chakma-Hajong refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. The controversy arose after Rijiju’s statement suggested that discussions had taken place with the Assam government about relocating these refugees.
Rijiju, seeking re-election from the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat, told reporters that the Chakma-Hajong refugees would be moved to Assam, a comment that drew sharp criticism from political opponents and community leaders. The Assam Congress president, Bhupen Kumar Borah, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring against Assam’s interests, suggesting that Sarma was complicit in the alleged conspiracy.
Chief Minister Sarma responded to these allegations by stating that the central government had not discussed the issue with the Assam government. He clarified that he had not heard of Rijiju’s comments and that no one from the Chakma-Hajong community had approached him regarding relocation. “I am not aware of Rijiju’s statement. The central government hasn’t talked to us regarding this,” Sarma said during an election meeting.
Sarma’s denial came as opposition and other political leaders continued to criticize Rijiju’s remarks. Akhil Gogoi, Chief of Raijor Dal and Sibasagar MLA, questioned whether Assam was becoming a “dustbin” for foreigners. Palash Changmai, president of the All Assam Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), an influential student body in Assam, strongly opposed the proposed relocation and vowed to resist any such move.
Chakmas and Hajongs, who are Buddhists and Hindus, migrated to India between 1964 and 1966 from the Chittagong Hills Tract (CHT) of then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to escape religious persecution. They were settled in North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), now Arunachal Pradesh, under a “Definite Plan of Rehabilitation” that included permanent land and financial assistance. The 2011 Census records 47,471 Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh.
Despite the controversial claims, Sarma’s statements suggest that no official plans are in place to relocate the Chakma-Hajong refugees to Assam. This ongoing issue will likely continue to generate debate and opposition from various groups in Assam and beyond.
