Arunachal: APIYO President Taro Sonam Liyak says the march aims to seek urgent Central intervention on what the group calls an existential threat to indigenous communities.
In an effort to draw the Centre’s attention to the issue of illegal immigration and related concerns, the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) will launch a foot march titled ‘Delhi Chalo Abhiyan’ from January 31.
The march, led by APIYO President Taro Sonam Liyak, will begin from Akashdeep in Itanagar and proceed towards New Delhi, aiming to directly place the organisation’s demands before the Central Government.
Addressing the issue, Liyak said the march is not merely a protest but a desperate appeal to the Centre over what he described as an existential threat posed by illegal immigration and cross-border demographic changes in the North Eastern region, including Arunachal Pradesh.
He alleged that despite repeated representations, the State Government has failed to adequately address the concerns of indigenous communities, leaving the organisation with no option but to take the matter directly to the national capital.
In a statement, APIYO said it had exhausted all democratic and local remedies before arriving at the decision to undertake the foot march. The organisation recalled submitting a detailed memorandum to the Arunachal Pradesh administration on October 6, 2025, demanding the identification of illegal immigrants and the removal of unauthorised settlements on indigenous land.
“Despite peaceful rallies held on October 24 and December 27, 2025, and a democratic bandh observed on December 9, 2025, the response has been painfully inadequate. Unauthorised settlements continue to rise, posing serious security risks to indigenous people,” the statement said.
Clarifying its position, APIYO stated that the march is not directed against Assam or any other state, but is a necessary transit to reach New Delhi and place its concerns before Parliament.
The proposed foot march will enter Assam through Banderdewa and pass through several districts, including Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Rangia, Nalbari, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar, before exiting the state at Srirampur en route to the national capital.
In this regard, APIYO has sought cooperation from the Assam Government to ensure that the march remains peaceful and incident-free during its passage through the state.
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