Arunachal not to table report on PRC after shutdown turns violent

The Arunachal Pradesh government on Friday decided not to table the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) report on Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe communities of Namsai and Changlang districts following violent protests.

Security forces fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the protestors as the second day of the 48-hour shutdown turned violent in the mountainous capital city of Arunachal Pradesh.

One of the protestors sustained a bullet injury in his leg while several security personnel and agitators were injured following clashes at Naharlagun, an official said.

The government has suspended all internet services for the next 24 hours with immediate effect in order to avoid rumour mongering through social media platforms in the interest of public safety.

"Keeping in view the present situation, the government has decided not to take up the PRC matter in the current Assembly session," Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted.

Eighteen students' bodies and civil society groups have sponsored the shutdown to mount pressure on the Pema Khandu government to scrap the decision of granting (PRC) to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe communities of Namsai and Changlang districts.

The agitating groups alleged that the JHPC led by and Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia constituted to look into the matter had submitted its report without proper verification of facts and the same should be rectified before it was tabled before the Assembly.

The recommendation made by the JHPC was likely to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke to Chief Minister Khandu on Friday and appealed to everyone for peace.

"Violence will help nobody. The State govt has assured that the rights and constitutional safeguards of the indigenous people will be protected at any cost," Rijiju tweeted.

The Minister said the government has decided not to table the JHPC report in the current Assembly Session.

--IANS

rrk/arm