10/07/2026
AAPSU Opposes Govt's July 13 Consultative Meeting on Kachari ST Inclusion, Demands Immediate Withdrawal
ITANAGAR, July 10: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has strongly opposed the Arunachal Pradesh Government's decision to convene a consultative meeting on July 13 regarding the proposed inclusion of the Kachari tribe residing in Namsai and Changlang districts in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of Arunachal Pradesh.
In a strongly worded statement, AAPSU President Meje Taku termed the proposed meeting "unacceptable" and warned that the apex students' body would not allow any move that, in its view, threatens the constitutional and indigenous identity of the state.
According to a government circular issued by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), the meeting has been scheduled under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to discuss a joint memorandum submitted by representatives of the Kachari community, including the All Arunachal Pradesh Kachari Community Development Council, Sonowal Kachari Jatiya Parishad, and All Arunachal Pradesh Sonowal Kachari Union.
Reacting to the development, Meje Taku asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is a "100% tribal state" whose indigenous identity is protected under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
"This is not merely a matter of sentiment—it is protected by law. Our land, resources and political future belong to the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh," he said.
The AAPSU president further argued that the Sonowal Kachari community already enjoys Scheduled Tribe status in neighbouring Assam, and questioned the rationale behind granting what he described as a second, overlapping ST recognition in Arunachal Pradesh.
"There is neither a legal, constitutional nor moral justification for extending another ST recognition here," Taku stated.
AAPSU has demanded that the Chief Secretary and the State Government immediately withdraw the July 13 consultative meeting and publicly reaffirm that Arunachal Pradesh's Scheduled Tribe criteria will remain limited to its existing indigenous tribal communities.
Issuing a warning, Taku said that if the government proceeds with the meeting despite widespread opposition, AAPSU would intensify its democratic agitation.
