Mikirs are an indigenous community of Arunachal- Nabam Rebia
Kokila
Addressing the first foundation day celebration of All Arunachal Pradesh Mikir Welfare Society the local MLA and Urban Development Minister Nabam Rebia stated that the Mikirs are original and an indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh.
Rebia said that there are lots of history of Mikirs and their association with the Nyishi and their support in Doimukh area sine decades.
He ask all stakeholders involving All Papum Pare District Students’ Union(APPDSU), the All Nyishi Students’ Union, Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) to come forward to support the cause of the Mikir community to get back their lost APST status and take a decision and provide the state government in writing so that no one blame in future of any political action.
“Let us be sympathetic towards the cause of the Mikir community,” and appeal for ‘melke chele’ Rebia said.
It must be mention here that ” The Mikirs are seeking restoration of the lost Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) and Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) status.
The community residing in the foothills area of Papum Pare district- Chessa, Kokila, Hollongi, Balijan and Tarasso was enlisted as APST as per the Scheduled Tribe Amendment Act of 1950.
Members of the Mikir community were given ST certificates, equal opportunities and benefits by the state government at par with other indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. But they are not been given ST certificate and even the officials do not give any reason for that and the community have been facing lots of difficulties.
To fight for the right of the Mikir several small organisation have come together and made a apex organisation as All Arunachal Pradesh Mikir Welfare Society (APMWS) which celebrate its first foundation day here in befitting manner on Saturday.
According to the 2011 census, the Mikirs spread across Balijan circle has a total population of more than 1000 in state.
