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Rajnath to discuss Chakma, Hajong refugees issue with Pema Khandu

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will discuss the issue of granting citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees with Arunachal Pradesh…

Rajnath to discuss Chakma, Hajong refugees issue with Pema Khandu

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Photo: Facebook)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will discuss the issue of granting citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has been opposing the order on Wednesday , a home ministry official said.

The Centre had relocated the majority of refugees to the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which is now Arunachal Pradesh.

Around one lakh Chakma and Hajong refugees, who had fled erstwhile East-Pakistan to avoid alleged religious persecution, are set to get Indian citizenship, according to sources.

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The decision came at the time, when Centre has decided to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees, who fled the violence against them in Myanmar.

The refugees are currently living in parts of Northeast India.

Decision came following an order of the Supreme Court, which in 2015 had directed the Central government to grant citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees, mostly staying in Arunachal Pradesh.

The central government is trying to find a solution to the issue by proposing that the both the refugee groups will not be given rights enjoyed by Scheduled Tribes, including land ownership, in Arunachal Pradesh, the official said.

(With agency inputs)

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