Arunachal Pradesh protests: Artists face wrath of rioters

Guwahati, February 24, 2018:

Arunachal Pradesh, and especially capital Itanagar, continues to burn over the issue of granting of PRC status to six non-indigenous communities residing in the state.

Mobs have turned violent and on Friday, a band called ‘Alobo Naga’ was attacked by a frenzied mob and although they escaped, their car and instruments were vandalized. Naga posted a photo of the wrecked car and asked for compensation from the Government:

Actor Satish Kaushik’s five theatres have also been torched in Itanagar, but the actor was able to escape the riots and has reportedly left the state of Arunachal. 50 delegates, including Kaushik, who had arrived in the capital Itanagar to take part in the first Itanagar International Film Festival, were evacuated to Guwahati, as per reports.

Assam’s singer-cum-composer Zublee has condemned the attacks on the artists and has questioned what impact this will have on the perception towards the Northeast region.

[caption id="attachment_24176" align="alignnone" width="660"] Zublee's post on Facebook[/caption]

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said because of the situation that is prevailing in the state, the Bill to grant PRC to non-APSTs will not be introduced now. Internet connections have been snapped in the state as protests continued to intensify. One youth also died during police firing on Friday in Naharlangan and many were injured in the clashes between authorities and personnel.

The recommendation of the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) was to be tabled in the in the state Assembly on Saturday but was not brought up as the Speaker adjourned the House indefinitely.