Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 8: The National People’s Party (NPP) has distanced itself from the proposed protest outside the Raj Bhawan by the combined opposition parties on Saturday demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for his alleged mishandling of the PRC issue.
NPP MLA Mutchu Mithi informed this while addressing media here on Friday. Party Chief Gicho Kabak was also present during the press conference.
“We hold both ruling BJP and Congress responsible for the recent chaos witnessed in capital over PRC issue. Both the parties supported the granting of PRC to non-APSTs. Ruling party wanted to bring this issue to the state assembly and Congress also supported the move. Only when people started opposing, the two parties made U turn. Therefore we will not participate in the dharna to be held outside the Raj Bhawan,” said Mutchu.
He also made it clear that NPP opposes granting of PRC to non-APSTs.
“There may be some genuine cases in districts like Namsai and Changlang but still we will oppose the move. The basic foundation of this state cannot be diluted. Arunachal was created for indigenous tribes and it should remain same,” he said.
While reacting to the BJP’s allegation of recent violence in capital complex being orchestrated by opposition parties, Mutchu dismissed it and stated that it was a people’s movement.
He also expressed sadness over killing of three youths in the police firing. Further he urged the state government to fast track the process of appointing judicial committee to probe the firing incident and large-scale violence.
“Govt should set a time frame to complete the investigation on time so that people responsible is punished. If possible report should be submitted before the election so that people knows the truth,” he added.
Cong to go ahead with dharna
Congress said that it will go ahead with the protest.
Reacting to an appeal made by Home Minister Kumar Waii not to stage peaceful protest so as not to disturb the ongoing CBSE examination, APCC chairman Takam Sanjoy said party is yet to officially hear anything from the government.
“Instead of giving press statement they should have given us in writing. As there has been no official response to our demands, we will go ahead with the decision to stage protest in front of Raj Bhawan on March 9 starting from 9:00 am to till 2:00 pm. Opposition parties namely PPA, and JDU-S will be part of protest,” he said.
The opposition parties’ on Wednesday had met Governor BD Mishra and sought the resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu by 8 March or “face a movement by the parties outside the Raj Bhawan.”