By Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati : Arunachal Chief Minister Prema Khandu announced Rs. 20 lakh and a government job for the family members of those who died in the violence, and up to Rs. 10 lakh for those injured.After four days of violence, Arunachal Pradesh has begun to witness calm on Tuesday.
Itanagar, Naharlagun and surrounding areas have witnessed violence since 21 February that caused large scale destruction of government as well as private properties. However, internet services remained suspended in capital Itanagar and Naharlagun where a curfew is in force.The violence broke out against a joint high power committee’s (JHPC) recommendation to grant permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to the Adivasi, Deori, Gorkha, Mishing, Moran, and Sonowal Kachari communities.
Later government in a statement said, “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 grant of PRCs.”Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday met with community-based organisations, political parties and students’ organisations to chalk out means to restore peace in Itanagar. The CM sought cooperation of all organisations in the state capital and help create an atmosphere so that everything could function normally.Khandu announced Rs. 20 lakh and a government job for the family members of those who died in the violence, and up to Rs. 10 lakh for those injured. Terming the violence as unfortunate, the CM stated that there has been a communication gap regarding the PRC issue, which was to be brought up in the assembly session. Protests erupted over granting PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APSTs) communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts — Deoris, Sonowal-Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings — and to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. Further, Khandu informed that an inquiry committee will be formed, which will be headed by a commissioner, to investigate the violence.