Violence mars Arunachal bandh over Chakma-Hajong refugee issue

Violence marred the dawn-to-dusk statewide bandh called by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) in protest against the Centre's decision to grant citizenship to the Chakma and the Hajong refugees in the state.
Bandh supporters damaged a number of vehicles and enforced a total shutdown in the state capital Itanagar and in various other districts of the state.
In Itanagar, bandh supporters damaged several vehicles including torching a state transport bus and a private vehicle in the morning, Capital SP Sagar Singh Kalsi said.
An ambulance was also damaged in stone pelting.
Reports of violence also came from Namsai, Changlang and several other districts.

All government offices, educational institutions, markets, commercial establishments remained closed while public and private transport mostly remained off the road.

Though a few state transport buses were seen plying during the morning hours, but the services were suspended later, police said.
Almost all tribal organisations and NGOs in the state backed the state-wide bandh.
Addressing a press conference later in the evening, AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said local people would not accept any decision by the central government that would alter the state's demography.
"We will intensify the movement and will initiate non-cooperation movement against the Centre," Dai said.

He questioned the three MPs from the state for remaining silent on the issue.
AAPSU president Hawa Bagang said, "People came out in support of the bandh willingly for the interest of the state."
He criticised the state government for not being able to raise its voice against the Union Home Ministry's decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu had written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, stating that the issue would stir deeply held tribal emotions.
Last week, the Centre decided to grant limited citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees while not giving them land rights or Scheduled Tribe status.

People of the two tribes migrated to India from Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, in the 1960s following religious persecution. The Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists and the Hajongs are mostly Hindus.
In Arunachal, they are settled in the Bordumsa-Diyun areas of Changlang district and Kokila area of Papum Pare district.