The Background of the Protests in Itanagar
Arunachal Pradesh’s capital city, Itanagar, has been engulfed in protests and unrest due to the recent leak of a question paper for the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission examination. The leak has sparked outrage among the people of Arunachal Pradesh, who are demanding swift action from the government to address the issue.
The Demands of the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee-APPSC
On Saturday, protesters blocked the highway and demanded that the 13-point charter of demands put forward by the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee-APPSC be fulfilled. The committee is demanding that all exams conducted by APPSC of which question papers were allegedly leaked be declared null and void. They also want the former Commission chairman, secretary, members and other officers to be immediately arrested and a court-monitored probe by the Enforcement Directorate into the fiasco. The recruitment examination should also be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, and the report of the three-member committee on AE (Civil) paper leak be made public. The three state government officers posted under APPSC should be recalled, and all candidates should be given compensation of Rs five lakh each.
The Escalation of Protests and the Government’s Response
The protests have escalated to the point where the state government has suspended internet services in Itanagar from 6 pm of Friday to 5 pm of Sunday in the “interest of public safety.” Clashes between protestors and police personnel erupted on Friday, leading to tear gas shells and lathi charge. The situation has become so severe that Chief Minister Pema Khandu invited the members of the PAJSC-APPSC to the civil secretariat on Saturday for a discussion. However, the invitation was refused by the protestors, who said that the bandh would continue until their demands are met.
Speaking to the media, one of the protestors said, “This bandh has not been called alone by the Pan Arunachal Joint Sterling Committee, but with the consent of the local public and wellwishers.”
The situation has also affected the education sector, with the state board exams for class V, VII, and XI, scheduled for Saturday, being postponed. In the Capital Complex comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli, and Banderdewa areas, business establishments, markets, banks, educational institutions, government, and private offices remained closed, and vehicles were kept off the road.
Concerns and Implications for the Future
The protests and unrest have caused concern among the people of Arunachal Pradesh, who fear that the government’s inaction will lead to further deterioration of the law and order situation in the state. The demand for a fair and transparent recruitment process is a legitimate one, and it is essential that the government takes swift action to address the issue.
Importance of Restoring Public Faith in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
The question paper leak is a significant setback for the credibility of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, and it is imperative that the government takes measures to restore the public’s faith in the commission. The demands put forward by the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee-APPSC must be given due consideration, and appropriate action should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
In conclusion, the situation in Itanagar is a cause for concern, and it is essential that the government takes swift action to address the issue. The demands of the protestors must be given due consideration, and appropriate action should be taken to restore the public’s faith in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. Only then can the state move forward and progress towards a brighter future.
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