New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has directed the inclusion of Chakmas living in Arunachal Pradesh in the electoral rolls, which has been opposed by the State Government.

The Commission has despatched a fresh letter to the Chief Secretary and the Electoral Registration Officer in the State and ordered that Chakmas residing in the State be deemed to have been included in the electoral rolls, informed sources said today (Mar 4, 2004).

All election related work in Doimukh, Chowkham, Bordumsa Diyum and Miao Assembly constituencies had been suspended in January this year because of non-inclusion of Chakmas in the electoral rolls after a resolution of the State Cabinet in this regard in September last year.

The resolution directed that non-Arunachals should not be entitled to be enrolled in the electoral rolls in the State unless they possessed inner line permits under the Bengal East Area and Frontier Regulation, 1873.

While the Supreme Court had in 1996 directed the Arunachal Government to ensure that Chakmas were protected and not forcibly driven out, the Delhi High Court had held in 2000 that Chakmas born in India on or after January 26, 1950 but before July 1, 1985 and living there were to be treated as ordinarily residents of that State.

The Commission has now directed the State Government that Chakmas should be included in the electoral rolls, which should be published as early as possible.