Arunachal Pradesh: 12-hour bandh shuts down Itanagar over illegal mosques and immigrants

Itanagar bandh over illegal mosques
12-Hour Bandh halts Arunachal capital over immigration (Image via NDTV)

Normal life came to a standstill in Arunachal Pradesh’s Capital Complex on Tuesday, 9th December, as three local organisations enforced a dawn-to-dusk shutdown. The bandh was called to push the government to act on a set of demands related to illegal structures and illegal immigration.

The Capital Complex, including Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa, saw almost everything closed for the day. Shops, banks, schools, private offices and business establishments did not open. Roads were mostly empty, with only a few government vehicles seen moving around.

Bandh over allegations of mosques and immigrants

The shutdown was organised by three groups, the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal (IYFA), Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) and All Naharlagun Youth Organisation (ANYO). They said that several mosques and panjra-namas (temporary prayer structures) in the Capital Region were built illegally and must be demolished. The organisations also demanded the identification and deportation of people they say are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. They further asked for a complete ban on weekly markets in the state capital, saying such markets are being used by outsiders to settle in the region.

A senior officer informed that at least 16 people were detained, four from Itanagar and twelve from Naharlagun, for trying to forcefully enforce the shutdown. Public transport, private vehicles and commercial taxis stayed off the roads. Only essential government vehicles were allowed to run.

Inspector General of Police, Chukhu Apa, warned against spreading hate or harmful messages during such situations. He said strict action would be taken against anyone sharing “objectionable” audio clips or messages that could disturb peace. “People must follow the law and not take matters into their own hands,” he added.

ILP system under review

Speaking about the Inner Line Permit (ILP), which is mandatory for non-locals to enter and stay in Arunachal Pradesh, the police chief said that earlier, there were several loopholes that allowed illegal stay in the state. Some arrests have already been made, and the ILP 3.0 system will make checking stronger and more reliable.

Sharing figures, he said the police have found 8,936 people over the years who entered the state without an ILP or valid documents. Out of these, 7,351 cases have been officially recorded.

Administration declares Bandh illegal

The Bandh came despite the district administration declaring the shutdown “illegal and unlawful” a day earlier. In an order issued under legal provisions, Capital District Magistrate Toko Babu said bandh calls obstruct public life, violate fundamental rights and can create law-and-order problems. He also pointed out that the Supreme Court has already declared bandhs unconstitutional, and anyone trying to enforce them could face legal action. 

Organisers threaten longer protests

APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak said their fight was not against any community or religion, but against what they see as illegal immigration and unlawful religious structures. He said the government had failed to take their concerns seriously, and that is why they had to call the bandh.

The organisations said that their issues have been raised since 6th October, but the government has taken no action. They said the government had promised a meeting on 5th December, but that did not take place. An earlier bandh planned for 25th November was postponed due to festivals and sports events.

He also warned that if the government does not respond, the agitation could continue for longer. “Today we have held a 12-hour bandh. If needed, we will extend it to 24 hours or even 36 hours. We will continue our fight for the future of our state,” he said.

Written by Shriti Sagar
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