GUWAHATI: The decision by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to grant permanent resident certificate (PRC) to six non-tribal communities has caused major protests in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh on February 22.
The BJP made this announcement late in the evening on Friday and said that the issue won’t be discussed in the ongoing assembly session.
The capital became a violent space where one person was killed in police firing and many others, including policemen were injured after protestors tried marching on the Assembly on the second day of a 48-hour strike called by 18 organisations that are opposing the move.
There were widespread incidents of arson and the government following this, has decided to put PRC in cold storage for now. It is supposed to be discussed in the State Assembly on February 23. The authorities have also ordered telecom service providers to block data network for 24 hours since February 22 “to avoid rumour mongering through internet in the interest of public safety.”
Many indigenous groups have opposed a joint high power committee (JHPC) report which suggests granting of PRC to the six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but have been staying in Changlang and Namsai districts for several decades.
On Friday, February 22, protests in the state capital turned ugly as protestors blocked roads, damaged vehicles, public property and also resorted to stone pelting. In response to this, police forces had opened fired, used tear gas shelling as well as water cannons to control the mob.
Approximately 50 policemen were injured, and the protesters resorted to firing as well, according to a police official.
