Itanagar, June 5: The Pema Khandu government has constituted a High-Powered Committee to examine issues related to non-APST lineage claims and recommend measures for strengthening the protection of indigenous rights in the state.
The Chief Minister said the committee is one of four panels proposed following consultations with community organisations, civil society groups, student bodies, legal experts and other stakeholders.
As per an order issued by the Home Department, the committee will be chaired by Law Minister Kento Jini, with the Secretary of the Department of Indigenous Affairs serving as Member Secretary.
Members include representatives from the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women, the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union, the All Arunachal Tribal Forum, the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee, along with legal experts and scholars.
The committee has been tasked with reviewing the existing framework governing tribal rights and identifying loopholes that may allow misuse or indirect acquisition of such rights.
Its terms of reference include recommending safeguards relating to tribal identity verification, inheritance, lineage documentation, indigenous land protection and reservation benefits. It will also propose measures to prevent misuse of tribal protections through manipulated records and suggest corrective action against illegally acquired rights.
The panel has been mandated to submit its report within six months of its first meeting. It may also co-opt additional experts and seek inputs from government departments and district administrations.
Chief Minister Khandu said the initiative is aimed at safeguarding the constitutional and socio-cultural rights of indigenous communities in the state amid growing public discussions on identity verification and lineage-related concerns.
