The Indian Army conducting flag marches in violence-hit Itanagar and surrounding areas on February 23. (Photo Courtesy: PRO (Defence), Kohima)
Kohima/Itanagar February 24 (MExN): On request from the Arunachal Pradesh government, the Army moved swiftly to the areas of Itanagar, affected by violence over the permanent resident certificate (PRC) issue.
The Army conducted flag marches in areas of Naharlagun and Chimpu since February 23 to bring the situation under the control following avoidance by student unions protesting against PRC to non Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes, informed a press release by Col C Konwer, PRO (Defence) from Kohima.
Columns of Spear Corps were moved to Itanagar last night and deployed to impose caution on protesters, it said adding that the forces are prepared to cater for any contingency and assist the civil administration in restoration of essential services.
The prompt action by the Army has been able to contain spread of violence, the release maintained.
It further stated that army is prepared to provide all necessary assistance to ensure peace so that “normalcy is restored at the earliest in violence affected areas.”
Meanwhile, the IANS news agency reported that four Indian Army columns conducted a flag march in the Arunachal Pradesh capital as security forces grappled with the tense situation.
It further informed that some 50 delegates to the first Itanagar International Film Festival (IIFF) who were caught in the mayhem were evacuated after the event was cancelled.
The festival venue, the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre, was vandalized by miscreants on Friday night, the report said.
Protesters also set ablaze 50 vehicles and damaged over 100 vehicles on Friday evening. More than 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured in the stone pelting, it added citing the police.
One person was killed after sustaining a bullet injury, while several security personnel and agitators were injured in clashes at Naharlagun, the report said quoting official.
Popular band from Nagaland, Alobo Naga and the Band (ANTB) was also an unfortunate victim of the violence as the band’s car and all music equipments were part of several cars and houses that were set ablaze.
Although, the band members, four of them and the driver escaped unharmed, “we lost all our equipments worth around Rs. 6 lakhs and the vehicle belonging to a close friend,” the band front man Alobo Naga told The Morung Express on Saturday.
The ANTB was in Itanagar to perform at the three-day Itanagar International Film Festival (IIFF) scheduled from February 22-24.
Meanwhile, on their Facebook page, the band posted on Saturday evening that they “managed to get out of Arunachal Pradesh by taking the train to Harmoti, Assam. It's a long drive from here to Dimapur...”
According to IANS, the government has suspended all internet services for the next 24 hours with immediate effect to avoid rumour mongering through social media platforms.
"Indefinite curfew has been imposed from 3 p.m. to maintain law and order," Superintendent of Police (Capital) M. Harsh Vardhan told IANS on Saturday.
"The situation is tense and protesters are still indulging in stone pelting. We are making efforts to restore the law and order," he said, adding more than 40 protestors have been arrested.
Eighteen students' bodies and civil society groups are protesting against the Pema Khandu government's move to grant PRCs.
The agitating groups alleged the joint high power committee (JHPC) led by Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia, constituted to look into the matter, had submitted its report without proper verification of facts and this should be rectified before it is tabled before the Assembly.
Appealing people to remain calm and maintain peace, Chief Minister Khandu said: "The government has decided not to take up the PRC matter in the current Assembly session."
The recommendation made by the JHPC was supposed to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday, but the Speaker adjourned the House sine die, IANS reported.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Khandu and discussed the prevailing situation amid ongoing protests in certain parts of the state. Singh urged the people to remain calm and maintain peace, it added.
