Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: Normal life across the Itanagar Capital Region stalled on Friday as the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation enforced a 24-hour bandh. The shutdown, which began at 5 am, shuttered markets and educational institutions while leaving roads mostly empty of civilian traffic.
The organization called for the strike citing concerns over illegal immigration and the presence of unauthorized mosques. The state administration declared the protest illegal, noting that it remained largely peaceful despite minor incidents of demonstrators burning tyres.
Government spokesperson and Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona dismissed the protest as unnecessary. He stated that authorities had already sealed all 15 mosques found operating without proper building permits or statutory clearances. Twelve structures were closed by the district administration, while the final three on private property were shuttered on Wednesday.
“The issue that led to the bandh call has been resolved. Since all the identified mosques have been closed, there is no reason for the agitation to continue,” Sona said during a press conference.
The strike moved forward despite internal discord within the APIYO. While one group faction attempted to withdraw the protest on Thursday, others insisted on social media that the shutdown would proceed. The bandh is scheduled to lift at 5 am on Saturday.
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