Arunachal: 500 locals burn down Govt offices in Vijoynagar over panchayat elections

ITANAGAR: Violence broke out in the remote Vijoynagar of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday where around 500 people set fire to several Government offices amid brewing resentment over the issuance of rights to retired Gorkha soldiers settled there since the 1960s to contest the panchayat elections.

According to reports, the Extra Assistant Commissioner's office, Post Office, and SB office were set on fire. The protesters also ransacked the Vijayanagar Police Station l.

The protesters demanded the removal of outsiders from the Vijoynagar region as around 400 people came from Gandhigram with machetes, sticks, bows, and arrows.

The agitators have demanded the debarment of ex-Assam Rifles (AR) settlers in Vijoynagar from participating in the panchayat and municipal election and shifting of the settlers out of Vijoynagar, which is the easternmost inhabited region of India.

Police sources informed that around 8:30 am on Friday, Yobin students, youths and public, led by the All Yobin Students’ Union (AYSU), burned down the EAC office, the post office, and the Special Branch (SB) office. The agitators, who outnumbered the police officers, also ransacked the Vijoynagar police station.

ALSO READ: BTR Election: Hagrama Mohilary trailing in 2 Constituencies, UPPL widens lead

“They were around 400 in number and came from Gandhigram with daos, lathis, bows and arrows, shouting ‘Hamari maangey puri karo (fulfill our demands,” stated an official.

The AYSU has been demanding the removal of the panchayati raj rights extended to the ex-AR settlers in Vijoynagar, and shifting of the settlers out of Vijoyanagar.

The police sources informed that the civil helipad was also partially damaged by the public.

There was no report of loss of human lives. The police stated that the situation is tense but under control.

Meanwhile, additional force is being airdropped for maintaining law and order in the troubled region.

Yobin students union YSU president Ngwazosa Yobin stated that the union launched the agitation “due to false assurance made by the state government” and because of the failure of the government to meet the union’s longstanding demand for removal of Panchayati raj rights from the non-APST ex-AR settlers.

The students' leader further stated that Friday’s agitation was “the first phase of agitation,” and that it would be continued if the government fails to address the union’s demands.

In the 1960s, the families of over 200 retired Assam Rifles personnel from the Gorkha community were settled in Vijaynagar by the Centre. The Gorkhas and indigenous people belonging to the Yobin tribe comprise the majority of residents here.

ALSO READ: Inside Northeast analysis with numbers: Who will win BTC election 2020?

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast