Arunachal burns, protestor killed, film festival razed to the ground
ITANAGAR | Feb 23, 2019:
The situation in Arunachal Pradesh is escalating with the death of one person in the police firing on Friday night when protesters seeking changes in the recommendations by a government-appointed panel for granting permanent residence certificate (PRC) to non Arunachalees tried to enter the Civil Secretariat here, officials said on Saturday.
Internet services in the state capital were suspended and the Army was conducting flag marches between Naharlagun and Itanagar in view of the tense situation, they said.
Protesters had set ablaze 50 vehicles and damaged over 100 vehicles on Friday evening. They also resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured, police said.
On Friday night, a film festival turned violent when the venue of the first International Film Festival at IG park was vandalised by miscreants on protestors clash with police.
Caught in the middle of firing ! Thanks to all those who gave us shelter tonight ! We are safe now inside the hotel finally! Please Pray for Arunachal !
Alobo Naga ಅವರಿಂದ ಈ ದಿನದಂದು ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 22, 2019
A musical band from Nagaland — Alobo Naga, who is currently in Itanagar to perform in the event, escaped unharmed last night when the mob burned down their car (Innova) including all their instruments along with all the other vehicles parked inside the venue (IG park).
The stage, sound system, portable movie theatre, trucks, gen set etc. all down the ashes.
WATCH:
"We are holed up inside the hotel PYBSS, which is near the secretariat. All the firing happening just outside our hotel," Alobo Naga wrote on their Facebook Page.
That's our car filled with our instruments … I cried ! Thank you all for your prayers and wishes! We are safe….
Alobo Naga ಅವರಿಂದ ಈ ದಿನದಂದು ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಶನಿವಾರ, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 23, 2019
Meanwhile, the protestors also burnt the offices of All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) and All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) here. The AAPSU and ANSU have supported the recommendation of the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) constituted by the state government on May 1, 2018 to study the issue.
The Joint High Power Committee, after holding parleys with the stakeholders, has recommended granting PRC to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades.
The recommendation of the JHPC was supposed to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday but was not tabled as the Speaker adjourned the House sine die Saturday.
With inputs from News18
Image source: Facebook
