On Friday, three government offices were set on fire in Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, allegedly by members of the All Yobin Students Union (AYSU).
Nearly 400 people protesting voting rights for non-indigenous people in the state, allegedly burnt down the Extra Assistant Commissioner’s office, the post office and the Special Bureau (SB) office. They also reportedly ransacked the Vijaynagar police station!
Though no one has been reported killed or injured so far, four FIRs have been registered and 24 people arrested in connection with the violence.
A police spokesperson said, “The protesters were armed with daos (machetes), lathis (
Vijaynagar is located 250 kilometers from the Changlang district headquarters in an extremely remote part of Arunachal Pradesh along the border with Myanmar. It is home to 6,000 people. In the early 60s around 200 families of Assam Rifles personnel had reportedly settled here.
East Mojo reports that protesters objected to Panchayati Raj provisions being extended to non-Arunachalis in the region. Panchayat and municipal polls are scheduled to take place in the region on December 22. The Telegraph said protesters were opposed to grant of voting rights to non-indigenous people, mostly Assam Rifles settlers.
There is also a video message circulating on social media where AYSU president Ngwazso Yobin has claimed responsibility for the attacks and demanded an immediate removal of the settlers. The Telegraph reports that in the video Yobin says, “Their 30-year lease is over” and then he and his supporters raise slogans like “Hatao hatao, settlers hatao”
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