Tension in Itanagar as youth bodies enforce 12-hour bandh over mosque removal, migrant deportation demand

A tense atmosphere gripped the Itanagar Capital Region on Monday as three youth organisations enforced a 12-hour shutdown, demanding the demolition of an alleged illegal mosque at Naharlagun and the deportation of individuals they claim to be illegal migrants.

Despite the bandh being declared “illegal and unlawful” by the district administration, the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal (IYFA), Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) and All Naharlagun Youth Organisation (ANYO) proceeded with the protest, also calling for a complete ban on weekly markets in the Capital Region.

Police preparedness was stepped up significantly, with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chukhu Apa briefing the media from Police Headquarters, warning agitators of stern legal consequences should peace be breached. He said “elaborate security arrangements” were in place to ensure normalcy, and advised protestors not to disrupt public order.

Civil society groups and community-based organisations have appealed to the youth organisations to reconsider the shutdown, citing inconvenience to citizens, especially during the ongoing election period.

The bandh had initially been scheduled for November 25 but was postponed after a dialogue offer from the state government. A follow-up meeting set for December 5 with the Home Minister could not materialise due to election engagements, prompting the organisations to proceed with the December 9 agitation.

APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak said the bandh would not be deferred again and called upon public and commercial establishments to support the protest. He asserted that the state government would be held responsible for any adverse incident arising during the shutdown.