The Students’ United Movement of All Arunachal (SUMAA) has protested against the implementation of the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy, 2014 (TRP) in Arunachal Pradesh.
It opened its actions on July 8, demanding the immediate rollback of the TRP, the cancellation of the PRC/STC (Permanent Resident Certificates/Schedule Tribe Certificates) issued illegally to Tibetan refugees; surrender of trading licences obtained by Tibetan refugees; a written undertaking from the Central Tibetan Administration not to claim Indian citizenship and STC/PRC in Arunachal Pradesh; and deportation of Tibetan refugees to demarcated camps.
On July 14 it staged a protest rally in Bomdila. The organisation stated in a press release that SUMAA members led by its president also conducted “spot checking in shops and permanent structures against settlement of Tibetan refugees, wherein shutters and hoardings has been partially damaged.”
Further protests followed. Videos showed students of the group vandalising Tibetan shops and tearing down their sign boards, while police looked on but took no action against them.
On July 21, the representatives of 37 different non governnment organisations (NGO)s in Arunachal strongly condemned the protest by SUMAA as ‘groundless charges’, ‘irresponsible’, ‘dangerous’ and political propaganda that sought to portray Tibetans in the state as a threat to the indigenous people of Arunachal, the signed condemnation letter of the NGO’s addressed to the Governor of the state read. It further urged the Governor to ensure the safety of Tibetans.
On July 22, SUMAA announced that its movement would be intensified and it would continue until the Government meets its demands.
The TRP is a clear policy statement about the welfare of the Tibetans in India. Matters concerning land lease, extending Central and State benefits are also specified. It is a clear statement that Tibetans may be allowed to undertake any economic activity and to that extent, relevant papers/trade license/permit may be issued to them. It also says that Tibetan refugees may be permitted to take jobs in any field for which they are professionally qualified.
Arunachal Pradesh decided to implement the central policy in August 2017. It has the fourth largest population of Tibetans in India.
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