Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar wore a deserted look as the capital witnessed it's first day of 72 hour long bandh call on May 10.
The 72-hour capital bandh declared by few social activists regarding the fulfillment of 13 points demand in reference to APPSC crippled life in the Itanagar capital region.
The Itanagar capital region was totally shut, except for the hospitals and a few emergency services. Vehicles were off the road, barring a few private vehicles, and shops and government institutions remained closed.
According to the authorities, the bandh call was declared illegal and unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and the District Magistrate had also issued Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits the assembly of more than five people in one place.
The police have warned that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the law, except for genuine cases like medical emergencies.
Internet services has been shut down temporarily.
SDPO kamdam Sikom talking exclusively to India Today urged citizens to maintain peace and stay at home as 144 crpc has been declared by district administration.
Addressing media persons at his office deputy commissioner Talo Potom said that the district administration has also issued an order under Section 144 CrPC, following apprehension of violence and disturbance of peace and tranquility within the capital region.
He said that this bandh is ‘illegal’ and the District administration has imposed the Unlawful Activities Act to detain and arrest the bandh enforcers.
The action under the Act is being carried away by police personnel, which will be more active soon.Under the Act, the police personnel can arrest or detain people violating the order, the district magistrate said.
“This time the order issued is different from any of the earlier orders because this time the administration is working to suppress the bandh call by taking strong action. We have also directed the police personnel for strict checking, seizing any kinds of weapons,” he said,
The district administration has also issued an order to all the arm shops of ICR to shut down their respective shops and further directed people to deposit all the arms and ammunition in the nearest police station for safety until the situation normalizes.
Moreover, orders have also been issued to close wine shops and assembling of more than three people has also been prohibited.
“There may be violence during bandh call, which ultimately will create disturbance in the entire Capital complex. Hence, it has been directed to respective shopkeepers to remove the gravels stone, boulder, iron pipes, tyres from nearby shops lying along the NH-415,” he added.
Also read : Arunachal government suspends internet services in Papumpare district amid 72 hours bandh call