Shutdown in Arunachal Pradesh as student organization demands CM’s resignation for ‘corruption’
All Nishi Youth Association has accused Pema Khandu and his family of misappropriating crores of rupees from government schemes.
Everyday life in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar has come to a standstill since January 13 in response to the 36-hour bandh called by the All Nishi Youth Association (ANYA) demanding the resignation of state Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The powerful student body has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his family of misappropriating crores of rupees from government schemes.
However, state minister and government spokesman Bamang Felix had termed the allegations “vague and baseless”.
In response to the bandh call, Itanagar Capital Complex district magistrate Talo Potom had shut down internet connectivity in the city for 48 hours starting from January 12 till 5 pm on January 14. POTAM called the bandh ‘illegal’ and urged the student. body members to close it.
According to a report in Arunachal Times, the local administration had detained 36 protesters till January 13. 29 of them have been sent to jail for 12 days. Two people have been released.
The news report, quoting police, said no major incident had been reported so far, but the capital region was “completely closed except for hospitals and a few pharmacies. Vehicles remained off the road except a few private vehicles and shops and government institutions remained closed.
On 10 December, Anya submitted a memorandum to the BJP government seeking an explanation within 15 days on allegations of misappropriation of funds in government schemes, including hydroelectric power, by the chief minister and his family. It told local journalists that it would otherwise launch a ‘democratic movement’ demanding Khandu’s resignation.
Earlier, the state’s regional political wing, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), also held a press meet in Itanagar, leveling similar allegations against the chief minister and his relatives. On 16 October, PPA general secretary Kalinga Jerang told reporters that “there is a growing number of legal notices to the state government regarding critical issues such as Panchayati Raj, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) and misuse of COVID-19 funds.” There is a need for a systematic judicial inquiry.”
As the state government did not respond to Anya’s memorandum, the student body demanded Khandu’s resignation within seven days on 30 December. On 10 January, Anya’s president Byabang Joram told press persons that he had no choice but to call a bandh. Resignation. Zoram had then also said that the students’ union would end the bandh if the state government gave an explanation on the matter.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News East India staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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