Angry mob set on fire home of Deputy CM of Arunchal Pradesh

February 24: Situation in Arunachal Pradesh became tensed against the government’s proposal to grant permanent resident certificate (PRC)s to six communities. The six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis, Mishings and Gorkhas. Most of these communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam.

On the third day of the agitation, protest mounted outside the private residence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu when a mob attempting to target it was confronted by the security forces. The police opened fire, and unconfirmed reports say many people have been injured.

In Itanagar, on Sunday afternoon, an agitated mob stormed the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, ransacked it and set it on fire. They also torched a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of his office.

An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. However, protesters defied the curfew and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner and damaged public property and vehicles after a person succumbed to his injuries in police firing.

Citing complete breakdown of law and order in the state, a Congress delegation met the governor on Saturday evening asking him to dissolve the government and announce President’s Rule in the state.  Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to remain calm and maintain peace in the wake of ongoing protests. He also spoke to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who briefed him about the prevailing situation in the border state.