Protest spread in Arunachal Pradesh on status of tribes, Army out in Itanagar
In a protest over status of tribes and permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six communities of Arunachal Pradesh, the mob took violent route to register their protest and two people died in police firing.
The state government assured that they had deferred the plan to issue them the PRC but the protest spread and the entire state is now under the unrest as Army has been called in, which monitoring and patrolling the areas.
While protesters started marching towards the residence of Arunachal CM Prema Khandu in Itanagar, the police opened fire and the mob immediately stated pelting stones.
Keeping in view the present situation, Government has decided not to take the PRC matter in current Assembly Session. @sangnoamar, @Arunachal24in @arunachaltimes_
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) February 22, 2019
Post stone pelting incident, an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the capital city and Naharlagun and the clash had led 35 people injured, including 24 police personnel. Army conducted march in Itanagar and as per media reports, the Home Ministry has sent 1,000 paramilitary forces to maintain the law and order in the state.
The demand has been pending since a long period of time, where six communities in Arunachal want the PRC and get recognised as residents of the state, but it has been opposed by powerful groups.
An officer told The India Express, “Protesters are running havoc on the streets of Itanagar. Roads are blocked and any vehicle seen moving is attacked.”
As tension grew, Satya Gopal, Chief Secretary in a statement said, “Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken on grant of PRCs.”
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First published: 25 February 2019, 10:02 IST