Arunachal Pradesh: Protest Over Granting Permanent Residence to Non-State Scheduled Tribes Intensifies; Agitators Vandalise Dy CM's Home

Itanagar, February 24: Protest over Arunachal Pradesh government’s decision to grant permanent resident certificates to non-state Scheduled Tribes of Namsai and Chanaglang entered the third day on Sunday. Protesters today vandalised deputy chief minister Chowna Mein's private house at Niti Vihar and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner of Itanagar. They also set on fire a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of the DC's office.

The protesters also attacked the Itanagar Police station and several public properties in the state including a fire station after violence broke out during a strike called by 18 student and civil society organisations. The agitators also blocked the road leading to the Naharlagun railway station. As a result of this many passengers, including patients, were held up at the station since Sunday morning. Meanwhile, six companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been deployed in the state capital to restore law and order situation. Arunachal Pradesh Villagers Get Crores of Compensation, Over 50 Years After Their Land Was Acquired by Indian Army.

Video of protesters vandalising home of the deputy CM of the state:

An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. Meanwhile, one person was killed on Friday in a police firing in Itanagar when protesters tried to enter the Civil Secretariat. Internet services in the area remained suspended in the area.

Protesters vandalising police station:

On Saturday, the agitators damaged the stage of the Itanagar International Film Festival at the Indira Gandhi Park here. The organisers later called off the film festival. The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun yesterday.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to remain calm and maintain peace in the wake of ongoing protests. He also spoke to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who briefed him about the prevailing situation in the border state.

The Joint High Power Committee, after holding discussions with the stakeholders, has recommended granting PRC to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis, Mishings and Gorkhas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 24, 2019 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).