Arunachal activist demands CM Pema Khandu’s resignation ahead of court-monitored CBI probe

Chairman of the Jan Andolan Anti-Corruption Movement, Nabam Tagam, has demanded the resignation of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu to ensure a free and fair preliminary inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reportedly ordered by the Supreme Court of India.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tagam said that the Chief Minister stepping down would help maintain the integrity and transparency of the proposed investigation. He asserted that public confidence in the inquiry process would be strengthened if it is conducted without any perceived administrative influence.

The Jan Andolan Anti-Corruption Movement, led by Tagam, has been actively mobilising public support on the issue. On March 5, 2026, the group organised a 12-hour peaceful bandh across the Capital Complex region, which was observed from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The protest was conducted without reports of major untoward incidents, according to organisers.

Earlier, the movement had temporarily suspended a phase of protests in January 2026 following requests from the administration. However, Tagam clarified that the core demands of the movement, including calls for accountability and an independent probe, remained unchanged.

The campaign has also faced scrutiny from authorities. A bandh organised in December 2025 was declared unlawful by the administration, citing concerns over disruption to public services and inconvenience to residents.

There has been no immediate response from the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the demand for resignation. Officials have also not publicly commented on the timeline or scope of the preliminary CBI inquiry referenced by the movement.

The situation continues to evolve as the anti-corruption group signals the possibility of further democratic actions while reiterating its demand for institutional transparency and accountability