ITANAGAR, 14 May: The 36-hour bandh enforced by the ST Bachao Andolan Committee (STBAC) over alleged loopholes in the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system brought life in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) to a near standstill on Thursday, with shops remaining shut and vehicular movement thinning significantly, even as the state government termed the shutdown “illegal” and detained several agitators.
The impact of the bandh was visible across Itanagar, Naharlagun and adjoining areas, where business establishments remained closed and roads wore a deserted look since morning, despite the government’s appeal to maintain normalcy.
Home Minister Mama Natung said the government would not tolerate attempts to disrupt public life or intimidate citizens in the name of protests.
The police have detained at least six key members associated with the agitation as a preventive measure to foil attempts to enforce the shutdown, he said.
“Bandh culture should be rejected. People should continue with their normal activities. There is a proper procedure to function within a democratic system,” Natung told reporters.
The minister visited market areas in the capital and appealed to traders and shopkeepers not to succumb to threats or intimidation, assuring them of full protection from the administration.
The bandh was called by the STBAC over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the ILP system following a gazette notification issued on 26 March.
Responding to the allegations, Natung said the government was already taking steps to strengthen the ILP mechanism through technological interventions and stricter monitoring.
“If any committee or individual identifies illegal immigrants or irregularities in the ILP system, the matter should be reported to the authorities concerned instead of taking the law into their own hands,” he said.
The minister said several unauthorised cyber cafes allegedly involved in illegal issuance of ILPs have been identified, with enforcement agencies seizing materials and shutting down such operations.
“Any government official or individual found involved in corruption or illegal issuance of ILPs will face strict action. Nobody found guilty will be protected,” he added.
While acknowledging public concerns over illegal immigration and ILP enforcement, Natung criticised the organisers for resorting to a bandh without formally engaging with the government, maintaining that all forms of protest must remain within the framework of law.
