Arunachal: Five suspected Bhutanese nationals allegedly found with fraudulent APST certificates.

APST Forum Files Complaint Over Alleged Fake Tribe Certificates in Arunachal Pradesh

The Arunachal Pradesh Schedule Tribe Forum (APSTF), West Kameng district unit, has lodged a formal complaint with the President of India, alleging that five individuals have fraudulently obtained Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificates.

The complaint, filed by Pasang Tsering, a resident of Tawang district, accuses the individuals—reportedly of Bhutanese origin—of securing APST status through forged documents and misinformation. It further claims that these individuals have subsequently obtained government employment in the state.

The accused are as follows:

1. Nima Zomba – Currently employed as a Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) at the Directorate of Information & Public Relations in Naharlagun.

2. Nima Norbu Monpa – Serving as an Inspector in the Arunachal Pradesh Police, posted at the Police Training Centre in Banderdewa.

3. Phurpa Lhamu – Working as a Medical Attendant (Masalchi) at the Community Health Centre, Dirang.

4. Dawa Sangey

5. Rinchin Khandu – Both identified as sons of Shri Nima Norbu Monpa.

According to the complaint, their family patriarch, (Late) Chosung—father of Nima Norbu Monpa and Phurpa Lhamu—migrated from Bhutan to Salari in West Kameng district sometime between 1960 and 1980, and eventually settled in Zimthung village under Dirang Sub-Division. The Forum alleges that the family misrepresented their origin and fabricated details to fraudulently obtain APST certificates.

The complaint also raises concerns regarding the District Commissioner’s Office in Bomdila for allegedly issuing the certificates without thorough verification. The APSTF warns that this oversight could allow non-indigenous individuals to wrongly access benefits reserved for the state’s native tribal communities.

In light of these claims, the Forum has urged the concerned authorities to revoke the allegedly fraudulent APST certificates and take steps to remove the accused from their government positions. They emphasize that these benefits are intended solely for genuine members of the APST community.

The case is now under consideration, pending review and further action by the appropriate authorities.