ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, May 16: The Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) and has condemned the state government for illegally arresting social activists and other innocent protesters during the recent 72 hour bandh call.
Addressing media persons here at the Arunachal Press Club on Tuesday, APYC President, Tarh Johny demanded the state government to immediately release all detainees and dismiss the cases registered against them under whatsoever sections.
He asserted that bandh call is the last resort of any organization or public, after the government fails to take any action. "This time the 72 hr bandh was called after the state government failed to respond to the 13 point demands of the aspirants. The state government made hollow promises to the demands placed by the Pan-Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) on the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leak case due to which various social  activists were compelled to call the bandh," Johny said.
He further stated that the state government is deliberately misusing its power under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA)-2014 by forcefully detaining activist Sol Dodum and other innocent protesters fighting for a genuine social cause in order to hide its weakness.
The APYC further took a potshot saying that it was the Police and administration who had imposed the bandh.  There was no violence so arresting social activists and innocent people in the name of law & order is totally baseless, he added.
He also claimed that police personnel were involved in unlawful activities during the bandh call while highlighting that some police personnel were seen dismantling Dodum's car.
In a separate briefing, former minister Bida Taku threatened to launch ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’, if the government failed to release all social workers arrested in connection with the 72hr bandh.
Taku alleged that all the activists are being treated as terrorists by the police. "They were picked up from their respective houses that too in the wee hours without informing their family members. There are also reports that some of the activists were arrested after the end of the bandh on 13th May last which has no valid reason," he said.
While terming the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act as draconian, the former Minister stated that the Act has been used by the administration and the government to suppress public voice against corruption prevailing in the state.
With due permission from DC Capital, I met social worker Likha Rajnik at District Jail Jullang, where he disclosed that he was picked up after the end of bandh  on 13 th May last and has no connection with bandh. Like him, a social worker from Roing Vijay Pertin was also arrested by the police, Taku said.
He also informed that the Save Arunachal Youth Association (SAYA) President Likha Rajnik and his friend Raj Pao are on a hunger strike since 13 May last, adding that the two were detained and booked under the same Act , even though they were not involved in the bandh call.
"I believe that the state government will respond positively to the memorandum on releasing all detainees within the stipulated period," added Taku.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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