Itanagar: The situation in Arunachal Pradesh has taken a turn for the worse with the state government suddenly climbing down in the face of violent protests and declaring that it will not implement the report granting Permanent Residency Certificates to six communities living along the Assam-Arunachal border.
Arunachal Pradesh has been tense since Friday evening when a person was killed in police firing. People have been protesting against the recommendations of a panel appointed by the state government regarding issuing permanent residence certificate (PRC) to some communities who have been living in the state for decades but are not its natives.
On Friday evening, angry protesters burnt 50 cars and damaged 100 others. At least five theaters were gutted in Itanagar. A music band from nagaland that was participating in a film festival was attacked and its car and instruments torched.
The Army has been called in and is carrying out flag marches in Itanagar. The Union Home Ministry on Saturday said home minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to the chief minister and took stock of the situation. He appealed to the people to maintain peace in the state.
Meanwhile, as precautionary measures, authorities have suspended internet services in Itanagar and imposed a curfew.
