Truck movement hit at Holongi checkgate following 36 hours bandh call in Arunachal

Hundreds of loaded trucks remained stranded at Holongi town near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Thursday, May 14 amid a 36-hour bandh call, affecting the movement of goods into the state capital region.

The vehicles have been halted since around 5 am near the Holongi Checkgate entry point in Papum Pare district, one of the key gateways into Arunachal Pradesh after Banderdewa.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Holongi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jikke Tachang said the trucks had not been stopped by the authorities and that drivers were only being advised to obtain valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs) if they did not possess the required documents.

“We have asked them to ply and cross the gate and reach Itanagar, which is around 20 kilometres away, but they are afraid and do not want to take any risk as guided by their owners. These trucks are loaded with heavy materials and essential goods,” Tachang said.

He added that adequate police personnel had been deployed in the area and that new CCTV cameras had been installed at the checkgate to strengthen security arrangements.

According to officials, many transporters and truck owners were reluctant to allow their vehicles to proceed into Arunachal Pradesh due to concerns over possible disruptions during the bandh period.

Tachang recently took charge as Officer-in-Charge of Holongi Police Station, two days after previous officials were suspended by the state home department following allegations of bribery linked to the issuance of Inner Line Permits.

Holongi serves as a critical transit corridor for the transportation of goods and essential supplies into the Itanagar capital region and adjoining areas.