Dec. 22: Students of the Chakma community from Arunachal Pradesh pursuing various courses in the city recently got an organisation to represent them.

Named Guwahati Arunachal Chakma Students Union, the organisation will strive to unite the Chakma students and address their grievances. President of the union, Suresh Chakma, said they would also offer career-counselling to students and help them in choosing the right college.

Chakma youths are the latest ones from outside the state to float a students? organisation after their counterparts from different communities of Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Chakma said the students? union would try to provide moral and emotional support to the newcomers so that they feel at home while studying in the city.

He said the organisation would strive to foster brotherhood and maintain communal harmony among different students? organisations and youths of other communities studying in the city.

The city has over 10,000 students from other northeastern states. These students organise various functions and activities to affirm their commitment to their respective states, culture and social values.

Recently, the Naga Students? Union, Guwahati, held a freshers? social at the District Library auditorium, marked by a slew of programmes showcasing colourful and vibrant Naga culture and tradition.

At the inaugural executive body meeting of the Chakma students? union, the president strongly condemned the alleged ouster of hundreds of Chakma students from various schools in Singpho and Kampti-dominated areas of Changlang and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh by the activists of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students? Union.

Suresh Chakma claimed that the students were not allowed to attend classes after the killing of a local leader from the Singpho community on suspicion of involvement of the Chakmas in the crime.

He said the students? agitation in Arunachal Pradesh in 1994 has taken its toll on the Chakma students, who could not pursue their education.