Govt Won’t Take Up PRC Matter, Even in Future: Arunachal CM Khandu
Violence engulfed Itanagar over granting PRC to six communities living along the Assam-Arunachal border.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday, 25 February, assured the people in the state that the government will not take up the Permanent Residency Certificate (PRC) matter, even in the future, after its decision of granting PRC to six non-native tribes led to massive protests in the state.
Widespread violence has been reported in state capital Itanagar and other areas, leading to deaths of at least three people, along with destruction of properties and vehicles.
The central government has dispatched 1,000 paramilitary personnel to the state to help the administration in maintaining law and order.
- At least three people have died since protests broke out in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, 22 February
- The protests broke out after the state government announced plans to issue permanent resident certificates to six non-native tribal communities
- The central government has dispatched 1,000 paramilitary personnel help the administration maintain law and order
- Protestors also set ablaze the private residence of Deputy CM Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner
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Shutdown in Arunachal Turns Violent, One Injured
Eighteen students' bodies and civil society groups sponsored the shutdown on Friday, 22 February, to mount pressure on the Pema Khandu government to scrap the decision of granting permanent resident certificates (PRC) to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe communities of Namsai and Changlang districts.
Arunachal Deputy CM’s House Set Ablaze as Protests Turn Violent
Defying curfew, agitators allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner to protest against recommendations to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities, police said.
A large number of people marched through streets, damaging public property and vehicles after a person, who was injured in police firing on Friday, 22 February, succumbed to injuries at a hospital, police said.
The protesters set ablaze the private residence of the Deputy Chief Minister at Niti Vihar in Itanagar 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.
10 Companies of ITBP Dispatched to Violence-Hit Arunachal
As many as 1,000 paramilitary troops have been dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh as widespread violence erupted in the state over the recommendation to grant permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities, officials said.
At least two people have died as protests broke out after the state government announced that it was considering issuing PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APSTs) living in the Namsai and Changlang districts. The communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis, Mishings and Gorkhas. Most of them are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam.
Arunachal Govt Won't Accept Recommendations to Grant PRC to 6 Communities: Rijiju
The Arunachal Pradesh government climbed down in the face of violent protests and declared that it will not implement the report granting PRC to six communities living along the Assam-Arunachal border.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Sunday, 24 February, that the state government has decided to not accept the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities, and blamed the Congress for "instigating" a section of people.
In separate tweets, Rijiju said the Arunachal Pradesh government has passed an order to not accept the recommendations of the Joint High-Powered Committee to grant PRC to six communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts.
Arunachal Cong Condemns Itanagar Violence
The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the Congress party condemned the violence that broke out in the state on social media on Sunday, 24 February.
“We condemn the violence that occurred in Itanagar and urge the people of Arunachal to maintain peace in the state. It is pertinent to stand united at this juncture and resort to only lawful means to secure justice,” it said on Twitter.
All-party Meet to Discuss Situation on Monday
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had called for an all-party meeting on Sunday, 24 February, to take stock of the situation and decide on future course of action, but none of the parties, including the Opposition Congress, NPP and PPA had turned up.
The Chief Minister's Office sources told PTI that the meeting has been rescheduled on Monday.
Govt Won't Take Up PRC Matter, Even in Future: Arunachal CM
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday, 25 February, assured the people in the state that the government will not take up the matter, even in the future. “This is a clear message,” he said, as per ANI.
“On the night of 22 February, I had clarified through media and social media that the government won't hold further discussions over this (PRC). Today also, an order has been issued via the chief secretary that we won't take up PRC matter,” he added.
While reacting to the death of three people in Itanagar’s violence, Khandu said that he was “deeply pained and saddened at the loss of three lives”.
“I would like to appeal to all those protesting that their demand had already been accepted by the government... PRC issue is closed. I request them not to hold protests and dharnas and cooperate,” he told ANI.
State Govt Must Secure People's Confidence: Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, on the Arunachal Pradesh issue, said that the state government has already decided that the Joint High Power Committee report on Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) will not be accepted and that now the state government must secure the confidence of the people.
He also slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi Union his remark 'soldiers of paramilitary forces should get the status of martyrs,' saying Rahul Gandhi doesn't know the rules and regulations.