Arunachal Govt fails to submit report, NHRC issues final reminder in Chakma students’ admission issue

Courtesy: Topnews.in

On February 28, 2012, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a final reminder to the state government of Arunachal Pradesh to submit reports in connection with the denial of admission to 88 minority Chakma students in secondary schools in Changlang district.

Acting on a complaint filed by Asian Centre for Human Rights, the NHRC on December 1, 2011 issued notice to the Chief Secretary to submit a report within two weeks. No reply was forthcoming following which the NHRC issued a reminder on January 2, 2012. Despite given adequate time of six weeks the state government again failed to comply with the NHRC order. In its final reminder the NHRC directed the state government to submit the requisite report within  six weeks.

Apart from the willful violation of the order of the NHRC, which has all the power of a civil court, the non-responsive approach of the state government shows complete lack of seriousness on the issue of making secondary education accessible to the minority Chakma students.

It is pertinent to mention that 88 Chakma students, including 27 girls, have been denied admission to class IX in secondary schools under Miao Sub-Division in Changlang district in the academic session 2011-12 on various pretexts. The final examination of Class IX was already over and the students lost one precious academic year. Most importantly, out of the 88 students, 10 students were passed out of 2010-2011 academic session. They have lost two academic sessions in a row.

There are no secondary schools in Chakma areas despite substantial population. In the absence of secondary schools more and more students will be denied admission and drop-out rates will only increase. The state government must act immediately to sort out the issue.