Itanagar, Aug 02: The 24 hours capital bandh sponsored by two organisation ‘Arunachal Indigenous students union (AISU) and Nyishi Youth welfare Association ( NYWA) underway to press their 6 point charter of demand have evoked mixed response. The bandh call was given to press the 6 point charter of demand submitted to the state government on several occasions.
The bandh which began on Monday 5 AM to Tuesday 5 AM morning is underway as the main national highway NH-415 and other arterial roads of colony/sector were deserted and the vehicles of security forces and Magistrate and police officers and hardly any vehicles of General public were seen early in the morning.
Several senior BJP leaders and lawmakers which include State BJP President Biyuram Wahge, Vice president Tarh Tarak, city President Tarh Shoping and their team seen riding vehicle and visiting several places later few vehicles general public also come out of their parking to attend their immediate and urgent appointments in hospitals and other officials purposes and works place.
The Koloriang MLA Lokam Tasar also led a team of youths seen in Naharlagun township requesting the locals to defy band and bandh culture which has been affecting the normal life and also which may affect the Covid management activities. MLA Tassar said while interacting with the media.
Few petrol depots, few shops were opened but it also slowly partially closed their operation. Barely a few shops in all the markets and business establishments including banks and financial institutions shut down their shutters as a safety measure.
The attendance during the 1st half day was seen in few offices including the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat and as the day came up the attendance were thin while several offices were functioning with thin attendances in view of Covid 19 pandemic and Covid behaviours.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by the capital police in advance. Reportedly security forces from other districts were also requisitioned for three shift duty including normal Covid curfew duty in the capital Complex. A senior police officer informed me.
Report of stray incidents were reported from.various parts of capital Complex of tyre burning, road blockading etc in the arterial roads and few pockets of NH-415 even before the starting of the bandh timing. Sources informed.
Earlier the Capital Admin has declared the bandh illegal while the Chief Secretary has ordered its officials to attend the office and duty without fail.
Speaking to reporters. Capital Deputy commissioner Talo Potom said that I have requested the band caller ie, executive members of both organisation but only a single person meet me and accordingly I told them that calling bandh is not appreciable by all section of society and affect the normal life of General public and declared the bandh call as illegal and has handed the order to that person. Potom said.
In Spite of pursuing their grievances in a proper channel and systematic way they have adopted the bandh culture which we will not accept at all. He said. We are facing the Covid 19 pandemic and lots of management is required and everyone of the capital complex, state and country has been facing and the declaration of bandh is not at all appreciable during the pandemic. DC said.
They should refrain from indulging in any types of violence or else the law will take it’s own course of action and accordingly any damage to public property will be a liability for them. He said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in advance and Magistrate has also been deployed in several places to monitor the situation. We have requested the business establishment not to shutter down. However due to continuous Covid curfew only operation timing of all business and other official timing is upto 3 PM to 5 AM so it would be better for everyone to continue their work normally and support the Covid warriors and health workers for RAT and vaccination activities. DC added.
City SP Jimmy Chiram informed that till 8 PM on Monday three persons had been arrested and one case had been registered at Itanagar Police station. The 24 hours bandh call has not affected normal life however in fear people have not turned up as usual. However vehicular traffic and offices were opened normally and no law and order problem has been reported from any parts of Capital Complex. SP added.
