ACF appealed to resolve the Tawang church issue within 30 days, submitts letter to CM

Itanagar, Feb 16:  The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) in a letter submitted to the Chief Minister Pema Khandu has appealed to resolve the Tawang church issue within 30 days and to direct respective district administration to prevent activities demanding surrender of ST.

Addressing the media person at the press club here today, ACF President Toko Teki said that it has been a year and the three member committee constituted is yet to solve the matter.

He also informed that the members of ACF had met with the CM and appraised on the matter, to which the CM has directed the committee members headed by Chairman Mama Natung.

“Earlier today, the Chairman Mama Natung had called me and said the final outcome of the Tawang church issue will be disclosed after the completion of the final celebration of Nyokum Yullo festival,” he said.

Speaking on the demands of a few groups on delisting the ST status of Christians, Teki said even the CM has said that there are no such provisions to cancel the ST status of any Christian.

Teki, while appealing to the Christian brethrens of the state not to be much concerned over the matter, has also said that such demands are only made to create disharmony among the indigenous.

“Further if those groups and individuals continue to hold up the demands to de-list us from ST. The forum will take up legal action against those individuals or may be groups,” he said, adding that there is no such Indian law to de-list us.

The ACF also claimed that the majority of the district Deputy Commissioners has written letters to PMO and state Department of Tribal Affairs to de-list the ST of Christian community.  

The forum questioned the respective DCs’ action on what grounds such activities are being carried out. Or is it directed by the state government to do so?  

Meanwhile, ACF General Secretary Tarh Miri said that the state is in grave danger where NGOs, from states like Madhya Pradesh under the banner of Janjati Suraksha Manch is trying to create disharmony among the people of state in the line of religion.

He said the state is witnessing communal warfare since the state government is under the BJP rule. Such activity will in a long run create division, disharmony and differences among the own people, he added.

ACF also made a clear stand that the Christian community will remain under ST status and will never in future demand for dual status. It further said that none of the Christians in state is availing government benefits claiming one as ‘Minority’.

“There are many schemes for the minority groups but we don’t endorse anyone to avail the benefit. We get the same benefit as many students get under Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme etc,” he said.

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