Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Clearing The Dark Cloud

I was reading about the abduction of some members of Kathan Village by the Chakmas as reported by the media in Arunachal Pradesh. The reports by the Arunachal Times was biased against the Chakmas. It was a propaganda tool by the AAPSU (All Arunachal Pradesh Student Union) and Arunachal Citizens Rights (ACR)to create xenophobia in the state.
But in order to make a judgment it was important to know the view from the Chakmas also. What really happen? What was the problem? The Conflict was only between the members of the two villages. Then why trying to blame the whole community? Why trying to start a conflicts between the two neighbors who were having a harmonious relations?
I was really eager to know what really happen on 4th October. Since the whole community was blamed by the AAPSU(All Arunachal Pradesh Student Union) and Arunachal Citizens Rights (ACR).
All these years there was no major conflicts regarding land between the Mishmis and the Chakmas. They were staying as good neighbors.
The reason of conflict this time was regarding land. The land happens to fall between the boundary of Changlang and Lohit District.The land was allotted to the Chakmas from the time they came to Arunachal Pradesh. They were staying there since.
But now the villagers of Kathan claimed it to be their land. The conflict started from last year. And on 4th October , a mob from Kathan village torch the house of the Chakmas residing in that land. While running away after burning the houses , the Chakma villager caught 6 members of them. They kept them for a night but without harming them physically. But to hand over to the police the next day. That was what transpired. That was the incident that the AAPSU and ACR groups were claiming that the Santhi Vahini ,a Chakma militant group, abducted six members of Kathan village.
There is no such Chakma militant group in Arunachal. Those people who caught them are simple and unarmed villagers.
I hope the dark cloud over the incidence get clear after reading this. Now, it is the responsibility of the village heads from both the side to discuss the problem and reach an amicable solutions. There may be some misunderstanding from both side.
Such incidences can be solve by discussion among the villagers.