ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Feb 17: The bandh called in the state capital Itanagar to protest the  scheduled oath-taking ceremony of the new Chairman and members of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) erupted in violence as incidence of stone pelting was reported leading to several protesters and security personnel sustaining injuries.
Prohibitive orders under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed in the Itanagar capital region to keep the situation under control.
It is reported that as many as 10 people including four security officials were injured during the clash that broke out on Friday between protesters and security personnel in Itanagar during a protest against the recent leak in the question paper of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission examination.The Arunachal Pradesh government has for now called off the swearing-in of the state Public Service Commission members including the chairman.
“To control the situation, security personnel were forced to use tear gas and resort to baton charges upon the protesters. Adequate security personnel deployed have been deployed in Itanagar capital region to to deal with any untoward situation and to maintain law & order,” said  Chukhu Apa, IGP, law and order, speaking to the media.
Additionally, the Arunachal government has suspended internet services in Itanagar from Friday evening till February 19 next.
In a notification, the Principal Secretary said that- "In exercise of the powers conferred under Sub Rule (I) of Rule (2) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services in the Itanagar Capital Region to prevent further occurrence of serious law and order problems during today's bandh call given by Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) which has taken a serious turn now after the destruction of police barricades, lathi charge and firing of tear gas shell, the mobile internet services of BSNL and all other private internet service providers in the Itanagar Capital Region are hereby suspended temporarily from 1800 hours of February 17 to 1700 hours of February 19 next.
Meanwhile,  even late evening, protestors were still on the highway and asserting that the bandh call will continue until their demands are fulfilled. To the invitation by the Chief Minister for talks on Saturday, protesters said they will agree to the same with some conditions. They are demanding that the eight fellow protesters detained by police must be released and no sections be made against them; injured protesters and parents be compensated. They also said that it must be made clear who other than aspirant representatives are to attend the meeting. They also added that no Student Unions' will be entertained. 
The meeting with CM will only be finalized with the agreement of all protesting aspirants and parents as per the Pan Arunachal joint power steering committee.

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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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