By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: A 24-hour bandh called by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) disrupted normal life in the Itanagar capital region on Thursday, May 28, amid claims of unauthorised structures, including mosques, and concerns over suspected illegal migrants.
The shutdown began at 5 am on May 28 and is scheduled to remain in force till 5 am on May 29. APIYO said the protest was intended to push the government to act against allegedly unauthorised structures and suspected illegal migrants in the state.
Calling the bandh “illegal and unlawful”, the District Magistrate of Capital Itanagar imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, while citing Supreme Court observations against forced shutdowns.
Officials warned that attempts to enforce the protest through intimidation, road blockades, or disruption of services would invite strict legal action.
Police and security personnel were deployed in large numbers across sensitive areas such as Itanagar, Naharlagun, and Nirjuli to prevent any disturbance. Several individuals associated with the bandh were also taken into preventive custody, officials said.
The protest coincided with Eid celebrations, a national holiday during which banks and government institutions remain closed. This led to criticism from different quarters, with some alleging that the bandh indirectly targeted members of a community observing the festival.
Responding to the criticism, APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak said the organisation’s drive against alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants had been continuing since 2023 and was focused on protecting indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
The group said its campaign began in 2023 to trace and remove alleged illegal migrants. It added that concerns were raised over the legality of mosques and madrasas in areas such as the Nirjuli–Naharlagun belt, and that repeated appeals were made to the authorities, but no action was taken, which eventually led to the bandh call.
A senior police officer urged people to avoid what he termed “bandh culture” and continue their normal routines under police protection.
He said shutdowns disrupt daily life and affect development, adding that although the concerns raised by the group may have some basis, there are democratic ways to present such issues instead of enforcing closures.
He further said the state government recently held discussions with student bodies, civil society groups, public representatives, and community organisations on issues related to illegal immigration and the Inner Line Permit system.
According to him, the government has assured stakeholders that a separate department will be set up to improve management of the ILP mechanism and safeguard indigenous interests.
He also said that holding such protests during Eid was unfortunate, stressing that the country follows a secular framework that respects all religions.
No incidents of unrest were reported during the bandh, while police continued patrolling sensitive areas across the capital region to maintain order.