Arunachal Pradesh: 2 killed as protests escalate over PRC, CM's residence attacked

Two persons were killed and three others injured in police firing as protests over recommendations of granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to six communities escalated on Sunday in Arunachal Pradesh, police sources said.

Police opened fire when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at ESS sector in the afternoon.

Security personnel urged them to return, but without paying any heed to the request, the protesters marched towards his residence and started pelting stones.

To control the situation, police had to resort to firing in which two men, aged between 20 and 24 years, were killed, the sources said.

Three others were injured in the firing.

The body of another person, who was killed in alleged police firing on Friday night, was kept by the protesters at the Indira Gandhi Park and they said that it will not be buried until their demands were met.

So far, two persons have lost their lives and four injured as massive protests broke out over the PRC issue in the state.

Pema Khandu had called an all-party meeting on Sunday to take stock of the situation and decide on future course of action, but none of the parties, including the opposition Congress, NPP and PPA turned up.

The Chief Minister's Office sources said that the meeting has been rescheduled on Monday.

"Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in the grant of PRCs," Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said in a statement issued here.

The agitators have been demanding a permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the chief minister, unconditional release of protesters (numbering around 40) and immediate transfer of the chief secretary, among others.

The Nyishi Elite Society (NES), the apex body of the largest community, has appealed to the people to remain calm and use maximum restraint to evade further escalation of violence.

It also condemned the state government for "late and inept" handling of the bandh call given on February 21 and 22, and "failing to read the pulse and demand of the people".

Earlier in the day, the protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner, police said.

A large number of people marched through the streets vandalising public property and vehicles. They also set on fire a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of the DC's office.

The agitators attacked the Itanagar Police station and several public properties in the state capital, police said, adding that they allegedly damaged the Sohum shopping mall in Itanagar and looted the valuables, besides setting ablaze a market complex in Naharlagun.

An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured.

The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday.

Internet services remained suspended, while markets, petrol pumps and shops were closed. Most ATMs in the state capital were out of cash, police said.

Over 150 vehicles were damaged by the protesters since Friday, they said.

On Saturday, the agitators damaged the stage of the Itanagar International Film Festival at the Indira Gandhi Park. The organisers later called off the film festival.

The Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), after holding parleys with the stakeholders, recommended granting PRCs to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades.

The proposals evoked resentment among several community-based groups and students' organisations, who claimed that the rights and the interests of indigenous people would be compromised if the state government accepts them.

The recommendation of the JHPC was supposed to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday, but it did not happen as the speaker adjourned the House sine die.

On Saturday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to remain calm and maintain peace. 

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Pema Khandu-led Arunachal Pradesh government is not going to table the controversial permanent residential certificate (PRC) for now and appealed people to maintain peace in the state.

Speaking to ANI, Sangma said, "Government has clarified that they will not stretch the issue further. We appeal to the people that there will be peace. Government is also trying its best that distinction is not escalated further. The state government has sent a message that they are not going to tabled PRC for now. Hence, there should not be an issue."

Security has been beefed up in and around important buildings and the residences of important politicians including that of Pema Khandu.