Arunachal SIR has come under renewed focus after Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged students, youth and residents of Changlang district to follow the prescribed rules and maintain peace during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Khandu said complaints about any deviation should be submitted in writing to the appropriate authorities instead of being pursued through confrontation or street protests.
The Chief Minister’s appeal comes amid heightened tensions in Changlang, where violence was reported during an SIR hearing in Bordumsa on September 4. Several people were injured in the incident, adding to concerns over the conduct of the electoral-roll revision process in the district.
Pema Khandu stresses clear SIR rules
Khandu said the current Arunachal SIR exercise is being conducted after nearly two decades, with the previous revision carried out in 2006. He said the authorities have clearly laid down the eligibility conditions and documents required from applicants and their parents.
According to the Chief Minister, there should be little room for confusion if the notified procedures are followed. He stressed that individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements would be considered eligible, while those who do not satisfy the criteria cannot be included.
Khandu also appealed to student organisations and community committees in Changlang not to attempt to influence the administrative process. Instead, he asked them to place their concerns before the competent authorities through formal channels.
Arunachal SIR complaints should follow due process
The Chief Minister specifically called for written complaints if anyone finds that officials have departed from the prescribed rules. He said such complaints would enable the administration to investigate individual cases and take appropriate action.
The emphasis on written complaints is significant because the revision has generated debate among different groups in Changlang. Khandu said people should have confidence in the administrative system and avoid confrontations over technical or procedural issues.
His message was also directed at young people and students, who have played an active role in raising concerns connected with the electoral-roll exercise.
Violence in Bordumsa raises fresh concerns
The latest remarks follow violence during an SIR hearing at the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Bordumsa. The incident has triggered competing concerns from organisations representing different communities.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union has previously called for transparency and strict verification during the revision process. Its president, Meje Taku, also warned against attempts to threaten or obstruct student-union members involved in SIR-related activities in the Bordumsa-Diyun area.
Meanwhile, the Chakma Development Foundation of India recently sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission after alleging that Chakma electors were prevented from appearing at an SIR hearing in Bordumsa. The development has added another layer to the controversy surrounding the ongoing electoral-roll revision.
Focus remains on electoral eligibility
The central issue in the Arunachal SIR process is the verification of voter eligibility under the notified rules. Authorities are required to examine the documents submitted by applicants and determine whether they meet the applicable criteria.
Khandu’s remarks indicate that the state government wants the process to proceed through established administrative and legal mechanisms rather than public confrontation. His appeal for written complaints also provides a formal route for individuals and organisations that believe errors or irregularities have occurred.
The approach could be particularly important in Changlang, where the issue has become sensitive because of competing concerns over electoral rolls, identity and eligibility.
Government calls for peace in Changlang
Along with asking people to follow the rules, Khandu urged students, youth and residents to maintain peace and harmony. He said any disagreement with the process should be addressed within the framework established by the administration.
The Chief Minister’s appeal comes as officials continue efforts to manage tensions surrounding the revision. The administration faces the task of completing the exercise while ensuring that eligible voters are not excluded and that ineligible entries are dealt with according to the rules.
Khandu also recently held discussions with representatives and apex bodies of the Na (Nga) and Mara communities during his visit to the Taksing area. He said the meetings were aimed at understanding ground-level concerns and hearing suggestions related to developments along the India-China border.
The developments in Changlang underline the importance of maintaining transparency and due process as the Arunachal SIR exercise progresses. With concerns being raised by student bodies and community organisations, the administration’s ability to investigate complaints fairly and communicate decisions clearly will remain crucial. For now, Khandu has made it clear that grievances should be documented and submitted through the proper channels, while all stakeholders are expected to maintain peace and respect the rules governing the revision.