Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has vowed to carry on its fight against the Centre's decision to give citizenship to the Chakmas and Hajongs living in the state, on the occasion of its golden jubilee celebrations.

The five-day golden jubilee celebration of the oldest students' group of Arunachal Pradesh began at Indira Gandhi Park here on Sunday. The Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, chief minister Pema Khandu, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and North East Students' Union (Neso) chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya were present at the event.

The union has been fighting against giving citizenship to the Chakmas and Hajongs who were settled in the state by the Centre more than five decades ago. The number of both the communities in the state is estimated to be more than 70,000.

Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu said the state government respects the emotions of the people and does not divert from its stand on the Chakma Hajong issue.

Union president Hawa Bagang said they would continue to oppose the move. "We will fight against the Centre's decision to grant citizenship to the two communities in Arunachal," he said.

Bagang said the issue of Chakmas and Hajongs should not be mixed up with the Tibetan refugee issue.

Rijiju said as a Union minister and an elected representative of the state, he felt more responsible to take up the Chakma-Hajong issue.

Sonowal said youths of Assam and Arunachal must overcome all challenges together, paving the way to realise the Northeast as a new engine of India's growth.

"Only through co-operation and joint initiatives, the region can bring development to all sections of its people and become the 'Astalaxmi' of the nation as Prime Minister Modi has envisioned," he said.

Bhattacharjya said Neso would always support the union on the Chakma-Hajong issue.