In the thick of lawlessness and mayhem that Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed for more than 50 hours, the Chief Minister’s office has issued an official statement regarding the issue ex-gratia to the deceased and PRC.
The official statement from the CMO stated, “Chief minister Pema Khandu has announced ex-gratia for the deceased and assured to meet their family members.”
The official statement also said the state government had decided not to accept the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities including Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Mishings and Morans, who have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts.
The PRC is a legal document issued to Indian citizens that serve as evidence of residence and is required to be submitted as residential proof for official purpose.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday said the controversy over issuing Permanent Residency Certificates (PRC) is closed, requesting protesters ‘not to hold dharna and cooperate with the government’.
Widespread violence has been reported in state capital Itanagar and other areas, leading to deaths of at least three people, along with destruction of properties and vehicles.
Even though the State Government had assured that the issue of PRC would not be taken up again protests continued to take place.
The agitators are now demanding that the chief minister and deputy chief minister step down from their posts on moral grounds, the chief secretary be transferred and the ones arrested by the police be released at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the chief minister has called for an emergency all-party meeting.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police on Monday said that no reports of violence were reported from anywhere in the state even as an indefinite curfew imposed in Itanagar and Naharlagun continued. Internet services continue to be suspended and markets in Itanagar and Naharlagun remained closed.
Central paramilitary forces sent to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order also reached Itanagar. Ten companies of 100 personnel each have been deployed.