The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) has raised serious concern over reports of harassment faced by Muslims living in Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, AAMSU President Rejaul Karim Sarkar said that the organisation has been observing disturbing incidents where people belonging to the Muslim community in Arunachal are facing harassment, and even religious places and religious materials are being harmed.
He said that the organisation has received several complaints and information that some local groups in Arunachal Pradesh have been targeting Muslim residents and creating an atmosphere of insecurity. According to AAMSU, there are also allegations of damage to religious places such as mosques, and incidents where copies of the Holy Quran were reportedly harmed or destroyed.
Sarkar stated that as per their information, some Muslim residents who are living in Arunachal Pradesh with valid Inner Line Permit (ILP) have been stopped, questioned, and even harassed in the name of checking documents. He said this kind of behaviour is highly condemnable and must be stopped because it creates fear among families who have official permission to stay in the state. AAMSU said that damaging a mosque or any religious place is unacceptable and goes against the values of peace and coexistence. 
Sarkar stated that it is very important to remember that India is a diverse country, and harming any community or any religious structure only leads to misunderstanding and creates a feeling of insecurity among people. He said that such acts also increase the chances of communal tension and may affect social harmony between communities.
He said that AAMSU clearly supports lawful action if somebody stays without legal permission. He also said that if any illegal structure or illegal mosque has come up, AAMSU will not support such things because every rule must be followed. But at the same time, he strongly opposed the treatment given to those who are legally staying in Arunachal Pradesh with government documents. He said there is a difference between illegal residents and genuine residents, and no one should be harassed only because of their religion.
AAMSU has requested the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu and the Minority Affairs Minister of the state to take serious note of the issue and ensure the safety of Muslim residents. The organisation also said that the government should find out the facts and check whether harassment has happened, and necessary steps should be taken to maintain peace and order.
They also appealed that religious structures should not be harmed because such actions only create mistrust among citizens. AAMSU said that instead of creating fear, governments should help solve matters through discussion and legal procedure.
Rejaul Karim Sarkar said that the organisation also wants the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take up the matter with the Arunachal Pradesh government. He said since a large number of people from Assam are staying in Arunachal for work and business, the Assam government should talk to the Arunachal government and ensure that no one faces harassment without reason.
AAMSU also said that calling every Muslim in Arunachal a Bangladeshi is completely wrong and such general statements hurt innocent people who have proper documents and permission. Sarkar said that accusing someone without checking documents is not fair and may also lead to problems between communities.
The organisation announced that an AAMSU team from Assam will visit Arunachal Pradesh on December 15 and 16 to see the situation on the ground. The purpose of the visit, according to Sarkar, is not to provoke any situation but to understand the ground reality and speak to affected people and authorities if possible. He said that AAMSU wants peace and believes that dialogue and understanding are the only way to solve these matters.
Sarkar said that AAMSU does not want any incident that may disturb the peaceful relations between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He said the North East is known for cultural diversity, and people should respect each other’s religion and identity. He appealed that political leaders, student organisations, and civil society groups should work together to maintain peace and avoid any misunderstanding that can turn into communal tension.
He also said that AAMSU believes in peaceful coexistence and wants both state governments to handle the matter in a sensitive way. Sarkar added that no community should feel unsafe anywhere in the country, especially when they have valid documents and are following all legal procedures. He repeated that anybody who is staying illegally should be dealt with legally, but those with complete documents should not face unnecessary trouble.
Sarkar said that the organisation has spoken to many local residents and their reports indicate that fear is growing among Muslim families due to recent incidents. According to him, some families are worried about the safety of their children and the future of their livelihood in Arunachal. Some families are also said to be planning to return to Assam temporarily, especially if the situation does not improve.
AAMSU said that such tension between states is not good for the region and may affect social unity. Sarkar also mentioned that communal tension often harms ordinary people more than anybody else, and therefore all governments should act responsibly. He said that in many cases, misunderstandings can be resolved through proper communication and verification of documents.
The organisation asked the Arunachal Pradesh administration to ensure that no religious site is harmed in the future and strict action should be taken against whoever is responsible for such things. AAMSU also appealed that there should be continuous monitoring by the government so that peace remains in the affected places.
Sarkar said that the union expects both the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the Minority Affairs Minister to respond and take steps at the earliest. He said the situation should be investigated officially so that the truth comes out and necessary action is taken.
AAMSU has also urged local organisations in Arunachal to act responsibly and avoid actions that may disturb social peace. He said that creating panic among a particular community is not acceptable and every citizen should remember that India’s Constitution allows freedom of religion and equality before law.
