Itanagar: Normal life was affected in the
state capital on Friday following a 24-hour bandh to protest
against the Arunachal Pradesh government`s alleged failure to
take steps against some national dailies publishing derogatory
remarks against the Nyishi community.
The bandh called by the Nyishi Youth Welfare
Association (NYWA) which began at 5 am in the state capital
was peaceful, police said.
While educational institutions and non-governmental
organizations remained closed, attendance in government
offices was thin.
Though private and commercial vehicles remained off the
road, a few state transport buses were seen plying with
security.
However, the bandh was partial in some parts of the
capital as several markets remained open after traders`
organizations decided to defy the bandh call.
The state government has declared the bandh as
illegal and made elaborate security arrangements to thwart
any untoward incidents during the bandh.
Earlier, the NYWA called a 12-hour state capital
bandh on December 12 after expiry of its ten-day ultimatum to
the government to intervene to secure an apology from the
concerned newspapers after two national dailies published
a derogatory remark against the Nyishi community on May 4.
The report evoked strong reactions in the state that
witnessed a series of bandh calls and violence in the recent
past which even claimed a life on October 11.
PTI
