APWWS Condemns Illegal Seizure of Tribal Food Items in Itanagar

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) has strongly condemned and raised serious concerns over the recent incident involving the illegal and arbitrary seizure of traditional leafy vegetables and food items that have been part of tribal diets for generations.

On April 8, 2025, officials conducted an unannounced raid at Gandhi Market near the BSNL Office in Itanagar. During the operation, they confiscated numerous indigenous food items that have long been consumed by the local tribal communities.

In response to reports circulating on social media, APWWS members visited Gandhi Market on April 9 to meet with the affected women vendors and verify the situation firsthand.

According to the vendors, around six officers arrived at the market between 1:00–1:30 pm on April 8 and seized several traditional food items, including Honyor, banana flower (locally known as Papuk, Hoji, Joka, Marseng, and Poto), wild mushrooms, bamboo shoots, Tanam and Tase, dried king chilli packets, and brooms.

The officials allegedly told the women vendors that they were not permitted to sell these items without proper documentation. Some officers reportedly claimed the foods were “harmful” and advised the vendors to sell only laipata. APWWS has called this directive a direct attack on indigenous food practices that have nourished local communities for centuries.

APWWS asserted that tribal women in Arunachal Pradesh have historically engaged in small-scale trading as a means of sustaining their families.

APWWS has urged the state government to take immediate action by initiating a thorough investigation into the incident, ensuring compensation for the affected vendors, and holding accountable any officials who may have overstepped their authority.

In this regard, APWWS is also submitting a formal representation to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

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