Itanagar tennis court no longer dharna site, says ANYA after cleanup drive and office plan

The All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) on April 25 carried out a mass social service drive at the Itanagar Tennis Court, a location long associated with public demonstrations, and declared that the site should no longer be treated as a dharna ground.

As part of preparations for its upcoming Golden Jubilee celebrations, the association announced plans to establish its office within the Tennis Court premises. Members of the organisation participated in cleaning and maintenance activities, highlighting civic responsibility and the need to preserve public spaces.

Speaking to the media, ANYA president Jamru Ruja said the land commonly referred to as Tennis Court-cum-dharna ground was originally a notified property dedicated to the memory of martyr Heri Tai, who lost his life during a political movement in 2011. He said the area was known as the Heri Tai Memorial Complex.

Ruja stated that the Heri Welfare Society had developed the site in memory of Heri Tai and in recognition of his social contributions after the government notified the land in his name.

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He further said that the land had subsequently been donated by members of the Heri Welfare Society to ANYA for social and community purposes, and that the association now intends to construct its office there during its Golden Jubilee year.

According to Ruja, the site was never officially designated as a protest venue and there should be no confusion on that issue. He appealed to the government and district administration to notify a separate permanent protest ground in the capital region.

ANYA said a dedicated dharna site in Itanagar would help ensure peaceful and organised democratic protests in accordance with constitutional rights while avoiding disruption to public life.

The development is expected to trigger discussion over the future of public protest spaces in the state capital, where the Tennis Court area has for years been used for demonstrations by various organisations and groups.