ITANAGAR, Feb 24: The Nyishi Elite Society (NES) has vehemently condemned the state government for “mishandling the 48-hour capital bandh” imposed by several organisations from 21 to 22 February which led to the
deaths of Risso Tari (22), Biki Ruja (20) and Tsering Wangdi (34), and to grievous injury sustained by Bagang Taje.
“Unfortunately, two of the deceased are from the Nyishi community, while the issue (of PRC) pertains to the whole state, comprising 26 major tribes and more than 120 sub-tribes,” the NES stated in a release on Sunday.
It expressed dismay that the Talang-Hira memorial in E Sector, “which is the symbol of pride and monumental property of the Nyishi community, was de-sanctified” while the ANSU office was torched during the protests, and said Nyokum Yullo – the grandest festival of the Nyishis – was also sabotaged.
“The Nyishi community has suffered social unrest in the Nyishi heartland – the capital complex – for a common cause of the state, and unaccounted properties of Nyishis have been lost and economic activities stalled,” it said.
The NES demanded that the government institute an inquiry to “unearth the truth and fix responsibility on the official an non-official actors that left the twin state capital burning and firing throughout the night that led to loss of lives and properties running to crores of rupees,” and that the arrested bandh callers and supporters be released unconditionally.
The NES appealed to the community’s members to “maintain maximum restraint and calm to evade further escalation.”
It also vehemently condemned the government “for late and inept handling of the bandh call and failing to read the pulse of its people and demand.”
HM’s resignation demanded
Meanwhile, the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) in a separate release condemned the “unethical firing” that led to the death of youths and caused grievous injuries to others.
“The ANSU terms it barbaric and inhuman act from the authority and express our highest condemnation,” it said.
Alleging that the authorities and the home minister (HM) were well aware of the situation “but intentionally neglected to handle the situation,” the ANSU demanded that the home minister immediately resign, and that the jobs of all the police officers and personnel involved in the firing at the protestors be terminated forthwith.
