ATCO bandh call illegal: Govt

ITAGAR, Dec 28: The Aruchal Government has declared as illegal the proposed bandh on December 29 called by the Abo Tani Clan Organisation (ATCO) and has appealed the citizens of the State to firmly denounce it.

ATCO called the shutdown to protest the delay in creation of the Department of Abo Tani Tradition and Cultural Affairs.

The Government’s decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein at his official residence here on Wednesday morning with the Chief Secretary i/c Marnya Ete, DGP Sandeep Goel, IGP Law and Order Nobin Payeng, Under Secretary Home CN Longphoi, Itagar Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan and Superintendent of Police SS Kalsi, Chief Councillor IMC Kipa Kaku and presidents of Itagar and harlagun Market Welfare Society Yumlam Achung and Tadar Sima.

The meeting was also attended by State BJP President Tapir Gao, Education Minister Honchun Ngamdam, parliamentary secretaries Techi Kaso, Jambey Tashi and Phurpa Tsering and BJP Vice President Tame Phassang, a report from the PRO said.

Mein said the Government will not tolerate any bandh call, which is against the greater interest of the people of State in general and of the capital complex in particular. “The bandh call is nothing but to disturb the activities of the Government,” he said and directed the district administration to issue a strict order to effectively deal with the shutdown and also instructed the chief secretary to ensure smooth conduction of normal office works on the day.

Gao said bandhs never benefit anyone and cause a lot of difficulties for the people. He called for providing foolproof security to the citizens and business communities who are always at the receiving end during such bandhs.

PWD Parliamentary Secretary and the local legislator Techi Kaso said that government should reiterate its firm commitment to maintain law and order at all costs and ensure the security of the citizens is not compromised in any way.

He appealed the people and requested the Government employees in particular not to pay any heed to “this unreasoble call” and carry on their daily activities without any fear or apprehension of reprisals.

Terming the bandh call as illegal, Ete quoted a Supreme Court order and asked the DC to warn bandh callers that they will be held responsible for losses incurred during the shutdown period. Any public or private property damage or losses incurred shall be realised from them as per the Court’s order.

Dhawan told the DCM that district administration will ensure the bandh is ineffective and see to it that peace and tranquility of the capital complex is not disturbed. Magistrates will be deployed and they will take all precautiory measures, he said.

He also said that the district administration will hold a meeting with Itagar Municipal Council, Itagar Market Welfare Association and harlagun Bazar Welfare Committee so that the markets remain open. He added that he will appeal all organisations not to call bandh in the interest of the common people.

Goel said elaborate security arrangement will be made and deployed in all location of the capital complex. No one will be allowed to take law into their own hands, he said.