Itanagar: An uneasy calm prevailed in violence-hit Itanagar Capital Complex with markets, business establishments, educational institutions remaining shut for the second successive day on Saturday, sources said.
“Though there was no report of any fresh incidents from any parts of Capital Complex so far, the situation remains precarious with the mob being quite aggressive,” a senior police officer said.
The Capital Complex on Friday witnessed violent protests, destruction of private and public properties in presence of heavy deployment of security personnel, and stone pelting that resulted in injury to atleast 10 persons including policemen.
The Itanagar Capital Complex bandh call was given by the ‘public’ protesting non-fulfillment of the 13-point demand of the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee-APPSC pertaining to the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leak scam.
Hundreds of protesters, including aggrieved civil services aspirants came out to the streets and converged at the Raj Bhavan tri-junction in Itanagar demanding cancellation of the scheduled swearing-in of the newly-appointed APPSC chairman and members on Friday evening.
Although the state government later called off the APPSC chairman and members’ swearing-in, the adamant PAJSC and its supporters stuck to their stance, insisting that the State Government has to address the PAJSC’s charter of demands.
In the meantime, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has invited the agitating PAJSC members to his chamber at the State Civil Secretariat here on Saturday to hammer out solutions to their grievances.
PPA expresses solidarity with protesting aspirants: Meanwhile, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has expressed its solidarity with the civil services & other government job aspirants who are protesting in Itanagar & other adjoining areas against the APPSC paper leakage and cash-for-job scam.
Taking a dig at the ruling dispensation, the regional outfit said, “Failure of the Arunachal Pradesh State Government in handling the issue even after a period of 6 months only reflects its incompetence.”
“We condemn the high-handedness displayed by the authorities in handling the protest today leading to injuries of aspirants and some security personnel. Our party calls upon the State Government to display its wisdom and take the aspirants into confidence. Their demands should be positively looked into without any further delays,” the PPA said.
State Board exams in Capital postponed: In view of the prevailing situation in the State capital, the government has postponed the State Board examinations of classes V and VIII, and class IX (internal), scheduled to be held on Saturday in all schools of Itanagar Capital Complex, which will be held at a later date, official sources said.
“As per the approval of competent authority, the Class 5 and Class 8 Arun Board exam and Class 11 AP Board Exam (internal) scheduled on 18th February 2023 in all the schools of Itanagar Capital Region is hereby postponed and will be held later.
“This applies only to schools in Itanagar Capital Region and exam in other districts will be conducted as per schedule on 18th February 2023,” an ‘order’ issued by the Director of Secondary Education said.
“The exams scheduled on other dates will not be affected,” it said.
