The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 24 persons in connection with Friday’s arson attack at Vijaynagar in the state’s Changlang district.
The arrests were made following a raid in Hozulu village, around 7 km away from Vijaynagar on Sunday, the police said.
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Police said a team led by IGP (law and order) Chuku Apa and Changlang superintendent of police, Mihin Gambu raided the Hozulu village on Sunday afternoon and arrested the 24 individuals.
“The team also seized three muzzle-loaded guns and a .22 caliber air rifle during the raid. The arrested individuals have been bought to Vijaynagar,” police said.
IGP Apa said the police have also recorded the statements of four females and they will be produced at the Vijaynagar police station by their guardians on Monday.
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“The situation at present is under control and the administration and security forces are doing their best to maintain law and order in the area,” the IGP said.
In all, 3 separate cases under relevant sections of the IPC were registered at the Vijaynagar police station following Friday’s arson attack in Vijaynagar.
A 400-strong mob reportedly led by the All Yobin Students’ Union had set fire to the post office and offices of the extra assistant commissioner and special branch of the state police on Friday.
They also ransacked the Vijaynagar police station and partially damaged the civil helipad.
The protesters have been demanding the cancelation of electoral rights given to non-indigenous people (mostly ex-Assam Rifles settlers) of Vijaynagar in the Panchayat election and their removal from the area.
Surrounded on three sides by Myanmar, Vijaynagar is one of the remotest administrative circles of Arunachal Pradesh.
The desolated and isolated circle which is yet to be connected by roads takes around 6-8 days to reach on foot from the nearest town Miao, which is around 157 km away.