:Chakma-Hajong citizenship issue

Protesters torch vehicles, police retaliate by lathicharge

ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Sep 19:Due to today's bandh normal life was affected. All government offices, educational institutions, markets and commercial establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh called by AAPSU protesting against the granting of citizenship to Chakma-Hajong refugees turned violent after demonstrators allegedly started stone pelting, which forced the police and para military forces deployed to resort to lathicharge to disperse the unruly mob, leaving many injured including few security personnel on Tuesday.

Even though the bandh started off peacefully during the morning hours, it took a violent turn in the afternoon when protesters without any provocation torched an APST bus which was coming from Aalo to Itanagar at Zero Point Tinali.  Few private vehicles along with an ambulance of Niba Hospital, Naharlagun and a media vehicle were reportedly partially damaged by protesters.

Moreover the situation got worse after protesters threw stones at a convoy and broke the glasses of at least two vehicles of security personnel including that of Magistrate on duty parked alongside the NH-415, near Bank Tianli, Itanagar around 11am today.

Reportedly two SIB personnel including two security personnel and a Sub Inspector also sustained injuries in the clash following lathicharge to disperse  the crowd at Bank Tinali, when an irate mob pelted stones and started vandalizing police vehicles.

Angered by police action, the mob burnt tyres at several locations including the road near Secretariat building, which later forced the administration to deploy additional force to handle the situation. However no untoward incident involving loss of life was reported from across the city.

 

Police claimed the gathering was peaceful initially in the morning hours, but situation deteriorated only after some people resorted to violence and damaged government and private property which forced them to resort to lathicharge.

Onlookers, however, said at least dozens were injured in the police lathicharge and suffered mild injuries, while fleeing the spot.

The Police along with para military forces brought the situation swiftly under control by 3pm and gheraoed all key locations to stop the mob from moving further and the bandh remained peaceful till closing time.

Due to today's bandh normal life was affected. All government offices, educational institutions, markets and commercial establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads.

---

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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