Indefinite Bandh hits life in Namsai, Arunachal
Our Correspondent
Itanagar: The indefinite bandh called since Monday morning by three tribal bodies of Lekang constituency under Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh has affected normal life in the constituency, police said.
The United People’s Movement of Lekang, Lekang Indigenous Forum and Deori Tribal Students’ Union have called the indefinite bandh demanding Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) to the Deori community living in Lekang area of the district.
Namsai SP, Ankit Kumar Singh, informed that the bandh has affected normal life but the police have spread a dragnet to prevent any untoward incident. The district police chief termed the bandh as ‘illegal’ as neither due process has been followed nor permission sought form the district administration.
However, the call is likely to be withdrawn soon because of reported dispute among the bandh caller groups, the SP added. Taking serious exception to the bandh call, Lekang BJP mandal president Jugesh Taye termed it as uncalled for as Chief Minister Pema Kahndu has given positive indication to find a solution which could be expected from the State Cabinet by second week of February.
Condemning the bandh on behalf of ruling BJP, Taye said since the State Government is awaiting the final report of the Joint High Powered (JHP) committee headed by senior minister Nabam Rebia, which would be placed before the Cabinet, the bandh should be called off immediately, he added
The decision of the Cabinet on the report would be placed in the three-day State Assembly scheduled to begin from February 21.
The issue has rocked the State in recent times after Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein announced to grant PRC to non-Arunachalee communities residing in Namsai and Changlang districts of the State.
Several students’ bodies led by influential All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) along with civil societies have been opposing tooth and nail against government’s decision to grant PRC to non-Arunachalees which they feel would curtail the rights of the indigenous people.
The State Government had constituted the JHP to study the issue and the committee is likely to present the report to the State Cabinet soon.
Also Read: Arunachal News
