[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arunachal Pradesh remained tense today (Monday, Feb 25) after three days of violence.

An indefinite curfew Itanagar and Naharlagun and the suspension of internet services remained in force, police said.

Arunachal Pradesh witnessed massive violence for three days from Friday over the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) recommendation granting permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities who are not natives of the state but have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades.

A PTI report said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Satya Gopal issued a statement yesterday, saying: “Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs.”

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There was no report of violence from anywhere in the state on Monday but shops and market establishments in Itanagar and Naharlagun were closed, police said, adding that central paramilitary forces sent to help the state administration in maintaining law and order have reached Itanagar.

Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju Sunday said the state government has decided to not accept the JHPC to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts, and blamed the Congress for “instigating” a section of the people.

On Sunday, two people were killed and three injured when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the afternoon.

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Khandu has invited different community-based organisations and political parties for a meeting to tide over the unrest triggered by the government’s now abandoned move to grant permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six non-tribal communities.

Khandu had called an all-party meeting Sunday to take stock of the situation and decide on the future course of action, but none of the parties, including the opposition Congress, NPP and the PPA, turned up. The meeting has reportedly been rescheduled for today.

“Today [Monday] I have talked to a few organisations of different communities over the phone and called for a meeting with them at 10 am to discuss the present situation. Along with that, I have called for an all-party meeting to have a detailed discussion regarding the recent situation and the PRC issues,” Khandu said in a series of early morning messages.

He said the government will not take up the PRC issue even in future. “I have cleared the government stand on February 22 that we are not taking the PRC matter forward and want to reassure that we will not take up the issue of issuing PRC to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) in future. Still, a few incidents are taking place where few young boys have lost their lives and are injured. I am deeply saddened for this and once the situation is normalised, I will visit the families personally,” he said.

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Appealing for an end to the protest and cooperation with the government for maintaining peace as the “PRC issue has been ended”, the Chief Minister said a commissioner-level probe had been ordered to find the facts behind the unrest that led to widespread damage.

“I believe there are some forces behind all the incidents. Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful State and specially Itanagar is very peaceful, but there might be the hand of few people in the violent incidents that took place in the night. The incident took place on Sunday and I think the latest stand of government regarding PRC is not reaching the masses,” he said.

“Though the forces have been increased, it is not a matter of satisfaction to me as I believe that fewer security personnel is better for society and future. They are here for our safety only, but not for any untoward situation that might happen,” he said adding that ex-gratia had been announced for those killed in the protest.

The agitators have been demanding a permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the chief minister, unconditional release of protesters (numbering around 40) and immediate transfer of the chief secretary, among others.

Protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner here on Sunday, police said.

An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday and internet services suspended as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. Over 150 vehicles were reported to have been damaged by the protesters since Friday.

The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday.

Three people were killed in firing by security forces since Friday night when a 48-hour shutdown called by 18 indigenous organisations turned ugly. Protesters burnt cars, uprooted the venue of the first Itanagar International Film Festival, damaged roadside property and set houses and shopping complexes owned by the ruling BJP ministers and leaders on fire.

The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the Congress party condemned the violence that broke out in the state on social media on Sunday, 24 February.

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“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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]