Arunachal: Tribal body seeks ECI intervention over ‘targeting’ of Chakma voters

Itanagar, Aug 24 (AHN) The New Delhi‑based Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) on Monday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene over the alleged systematic targeting of at least 1,292 Chakma electors in four Assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh.

The CDFI claimed that 1,292 Chakma electors, including 413 voters in Bordumsa‑Diyum, 49 in Miao, 774 in Doimukh and 56 in Chowkham constituencies, were being systematically targeted during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It sought the deployment of ECI observers and central security forces during hearings scheduled from September 2 at Diyun and Bordumsa.

CDFI founder Suhas Chakma said one individual had filed objections against up to 30 Chakma electors for not being Indian citizens despite not knowing them personally, exposing a pattern.

He pointed out that Chakmas’ citizenship by birth had been upheld by the Delhi High Court in PUCL vs Election Commission of India on September 28, 2000, and reinforced by an ECI order dated March 3, 2004. The Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court judgments in September 2015 and March 2013 respectively also went in favour of the Chakma people. “The Chakmas have been voting in Arunachal Pradesh for the last 26 years,” he said.

The CDFI highlighted acceptance of objections against 41 Chakma voters in Moitripur under Bordumsa‑Diyum constituency on August 22, 2026, after the expiry of the prescribed deadline of August 20, terming it a violation of the rule of law.

It recalled the ECI order of March 3, 2004, which described non‑inclusion of Chakma voters as racial discrimination, citing Article 325 of the Constitution that prohibits exclusion from electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex. “It is evident that the names of eligible Chakmas have not been included mainly because they belong to the Chakma tribe, which is violative of Article 325,” Suhas Chakma said.

The organisation expressed fears of violence during hearings, noting that objections were filed after the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) constituted a committee on July 14, 2026, to remove non‑citizen entries from electoral rolls. It recalled the Supreme Court’s January 9, 1996 judgment in NHRC vs Arunachal Pradesh, which directed deployment of central security forces to protect the life and liberty of Chakmas in the state.

The CDFI urged the ECI to direct the Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh, and concerned Electoral Registration Officers to disallow objections filed against Chakma electors and to depute independent observers to monitor hearings. It also requested that every objection be considered individually and strictly in accordance with law, ensuring no elector is excluded merely due to Chakma identity.

The organisation further sought directions to the Union and Arunachal Pradesh governments to deploy central security forces during hearings to ensure Chakmas and Hajongs are not subjected to intimidation, coercion or undue influence.