The harassment caused to Arunachalees following a road blockade imposed by the Silapathar Truck Drivers Association (STDA) is highly condemnable. On Monday, several vehicles, including private and APST buses, travelling through Silapathar in Dhemaji district of Assam, were harassed and prohibited from travelling further. The truck driver association imposed a blockade to protest the recent murder of one Sanjay Nath in Daporijo (U/Subansiri). The murder of Mr Nath is highly condemnable and every Arunachalee shares the grief with the family. However, using his death to impose road blockade and harass Arunachalees is very unfortunate.
The Daporijo police have already arrested the person involved in the murder of Nath and all nine people are behind bars. The police have done a commendable job of cracking the case very quickly. Also, not a single Arunachalee has come out in support of the murderer and everyone has condemned this crime. But to the utter shock of Arunachalees, some groups in Assam are trying to use his death to harass innocent people. The government and law-abiding citizens of Assam should not extend support to such groups trying to cause tension between the two states. The Daporijo murder should not be allowed to be given communal colour. The people of Assam and Arunachal share good bonhomie and this spirit should be maintained. The Assam government should ensure the safety of Arunachalees travelling through Silapathar area.