AAPSU bandh stalls Arunachal for second consecutive day

Life came to a grinding halt in Arunachal Pradesh for the second consecutive day following the 36-hour state-wide bandh called by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) in protest against the non-fulfilment of its various charters of demands.
The bandh which started at 5am yesterday was total as all business establishments, educational institutions, financial institutions; central government offices remained closed while attendances in state government offices were very thin.
All sort of public and private transport remained off the road while a few state transport buses were seen plying with escort.
The bandh remained peaceful and incident-free throughout the state, city SP Seiju P Kuruvilla said.

Reports from other districts revealed that the bandh was total.
The state government in an order on Tuesday had declared the bandh illegal and directed all the departmental heads to ensure full attendance during the bandh period.

The AAPSU had called for the bandh after the state government failed to fulfil its demands even after the union's first phase of 12-hour capital bandh on June 25 last which was marred by violence including burning down of vehicles.
Police had arrested AAPSU's president Kamta Lapungon June 25 last and sent him to 14 days judicial custody. He, however, was later released on bail.

The AAPSU has demanded a 'White Paper' from the state government on the present financial position of the state besides demanding immediate payment of employees salaries and pending bills to the contractors.
The other demands of the union include, ban on the appointment of chairmen and vice-chairmen, providing uninterrupted power and water supply in the state capital and proper maintenance of all sectoral roads and highways in the state.
Meanwhile, AAPSU general secretary Biru Nasi in a statement this evening claimed the bandh as 'successful and incident-free'.
He also appreciated the people of the state for their cooperation with the union in placing their 'genuine demands' with the government.