Itanagar: A 36-hour shutdown organized by the Scheduled Tribe Bachao Andolan Committee (STBAC) caused significant unrest in the Itanagar Capital Region of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. The protest, which began early Thursday morning, sought to demand the complete digitization and rigorous enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to better regulate entry into the state.
The situation escalated when demonstrators marching from Naharlagun toward Itanagar began throwing stones at police vehicles and the local police station. Following the conclusion of the scheduled bandh, further unrest occurred on National Highway-415, where protesters blocked traffic. Security personnel were forced to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd and ensure the resumption of normal transportation.
Normal life across the capital was heavily impacted, as businesses remained closed and vehicular movement was restricted throughout the period. Despite the aggression, officials confirmed that no serious injuries were reported during the confrontations.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the district administration revoked preventive detention orders and released all committee members who had been held. Mama Natung, representing the state, confirmed the release of the detainees to help restore peace in the region.
The STBAC continues to advocate for the protection of indigenous land rights and constitutional safeguards, citing concerns over fake permits and illegal migration. In response to these ongoing demands, the state government has committed to upgrading the ILP framework. Proposed enhancements include an e-ILP system featuring QR-code verification, mandatory Aadhaar-based authentication, stringent police checks for work permits, and the implementation of tougher penalties for system violations.
Comments