First-time voters Chakmas turn out big, The Hindustan Times, 6 May 2004

First-time voters Chakmas turn out big

HT Correspondent, PTI
Itanagar, January 01, 0001

First Published: 02:38 IST(6/5/2004)
Last Updated: 02:38 IST(6/5/2004)

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Most of the 1,497 Chakma-Hajong refugees, whose inclusion in the electoral rolls of Arunachal Pradesh sparked off an uproar in the state, cast their votes in polling stations set up exclusively for them in Changlang and Lohit districts. Extra assistant commissioner of Bordumsa-Diyum,

S.S. Chaudhury, said nine polling stations were set up for the refugees there and most of the voters had exercised their franchise. No untoward incident was reported.

Miao ADC R.K. Sharma said details of voting were yet to arrive from two polling stations set up at Mpen and Dharampur in the interior areas. The Dharampur polling station was set up exclusively for a single refugee voter.

The Chakmas and Hajongs, who had fled persecution in Bangladesh in the 1960s, are unwanted by local tribes. The All-Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union had called a 48-hour state-wide bandh to protest against the inclusion of the refugees in the electoral roll.

Polling in Arunachal West and Arunachal East, passed off peacefully with 50 per cent turnout.