AAPSU submitted a memorandum to the CM for protection of rights and identity
ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Tuesday submitted a comprehensive 13-point memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, seeking urgent constitutional, administrative and legislative interventions to safeguard the rights, identity, land and political future of the state’s indigenous communities.
Led by AAPSU president Meje Taku and general secretary Mato Bui, the apex students’ body described the memorandum as a roadmap for protecting Arunachal’s demographic security and constitutional safeguards, while addressing issues concerning employment, education, border security, youth welfare and social justice.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) later, Taku said the memorandum focuses on strengthening constitutional protections while resolving long-pending concerns affecting indigenous people, students, youths and women.
Among its key demands, the AAPSU called for abolition of the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio in examinations conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), arguing that employment opportunities earmarked for Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) candidates should not be diluted through administrative arrangements.
The union also sought mandatory verification of permanent residence certificates (PRC) and APST certificates in all government recruitment processes, and demanded strict action against candidates found using forged documents.
Seeking stronger indigenous safeguards, the AAPSU called for amendments to the Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1997 to make valid PRC and APST certificates mandatory for contesting panchayati raj institution elections. It also pressed for strengthening Article 371(H) through a constitutional amendment and advocated constitutional protections on par with those enjoyed by Nagaland and Mizoram.
The union further sought inclusion of Arunachal under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Reiterating its longstanding stand on the Chakma-Hajong issue, the AAPSU demanded a permanent resolution that safeguards the demographic, political and territorial interests of indigenous communities. Taku said the chief minister and the union would soon take up the matter with the union Home Ministry.
The memorandum also sought completion of the remaining Arunachal-Assam boundary demarcation process and proposed the construction of a dedicated corridor road along the state’s southern boundary to strengthen connectivity and territorial security.
Raising concern over illegal immigration from Bangladesh and Myanmar, the AAPSU called for stricter enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, regular verification drives, and stronger coordination between state and central agencies.
The student body further urged the state government to take up with the Ministry of External Affairs the issue of certain foreign governments issuing stapled visas to Arunachalis, and sought enactment of a dedicated central anti-racism law to address racial discrimination against people from the Northeast.
On education and youth welfare, the AAPSU demanded a single-window scholarship disbursement system, effective implementation of the Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship for APST scholars, simplification of entrepreneurship schemes such as DDUSY and MEGP, and establishment of permanent Common University Entrance Test (CUET) centres in Itanagar, Naharlagun and Pasighat.
The union also proposed a dedicated startup package for indigenous youths, and sought a government-recognised democratic protest ground in Itanagar.
Under the social welfare sector, the AAPSU demanded immediate operationalisation of the Capital Region Working Women’s Hostel and improved access to safe drinking water and affordable accommodation for women from economically weaker and vulnerable sections.
Taku said the memorandum represented “constitutional deliverables,” rather than new demands, and stressed that the AAPSU expects a time-bound and publicly accountable response from the government.
He said that Khandu received the memorandum positively and assured the union that all issues raised would be examined at the earliest.
However, Taku warned that if the demands remain unaddressed, the AAPSU would launch a democratic agitation and, if necessary, launch a statewide “lockdown.”
