New Delhi: The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention with the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu against the abuse of the COVID-19 protocol to restrict the right to peaceful assembly, especially of the Chakmas and Hajongs, by the Deputy Commissioner of Changlang District, Devenish Yadav, said a statement.
The Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district Yadav in his order dated 7 January 2022 stated that “In view of surge in COVID-19 cases and emergent Omicron variant in neighboring States, public gather/functions shall be restricted to 20 people following all covid Appropriate Behaviour”.
“The said order of the Deputy Commissioner of Changlang is an arbitrary and absolute abuse of executive powers. It stands proven from the fact that all the schools and colleges which accommodate more than 20 students in one classroom remain open as the weekly markets in the district. Further, in the neighboring state of Assam where Omicron cases were reported, the SOP dated 7 January 2022 states, “In the closed venue, the gathering is allowed up to 50% of seating capacity of the hall, auditorium, etc limited to a maximum of 200 persons”. Without issuing a comprehensive SOP covering all aspects of COVID-19, the restriction only assembly of 20 persons proves that the Deputy Commissioner has issued the order to not address COVID-19 but the right to freedom of association and assembly in the district.”- stated Suhas Chakma, Founder of the CDFI.