A REPORTER
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh's IGP (Law& Order) Chuku Appa has claimed that the State has first time witnessed that an organization, All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) has hired anti-social elements from other States on payment to create law-and-order disruption during its 36-hour bandh call.
Addressing mediapersons at the police headquarters on Friday, Apa said that ANYA made all efforts to disrupt peace in the State capital by hiring anti-social elements. However, prompt action by the police prevented serious breach of peace.
He also informed that no loss of life or property was reported during the bandh call. However, a few groups of youths tried to burn down the Food and Civil Supplies Directorate at Papuhill, Naharlagun on Friday morning.
"A few documents and furniture items were burnt down. Apparently one adult and eight juveniles have been apprehended from the spot. Later, an FIR (No. 2/22 u/s 436 IPC r/w 3 PDPP Act) was registered at the Papuhill Police Station," he said.
Earlier, a case (No. 3/22 u/s 120b/121a/147/149/150/188/341/427/511 IPC r/w section 83(2) of JJ Act) was registered at Naharlagun Police Station.
He said that as per inputs and investigation, a total of 45 persons were detained and 20 juveniles have been apprehended in this case by the end of the 36-hour bandh call.
"It was revealed that some persons were tasked by ANYA to gather people to participate in the bandh call and cause serious law-and-order situation. Accordingly, the handlers called people from districts like Lower Siang, East Siang, East Kameng, Kra Dadi, Kurung Kumey and Lower Dibang Valley," he said, adding that people were also called from Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam.
It has been revealed that the handlers offered money and other pecuniary gains in return for creating serious law-and-order situation in the State capital region during the bandh.
He said that the police have seized Rs 3 lakh out of Rs 10 lakh which was allegedly given to the bandh callers by the handlers.
"Further, catapults, daos and other items to be used during the bandh call were also recovered. The matter is being investigated further. Police have also detained 45 people who have violated the curfew and have been produced before the magistrate," he said.
The magistrate has sent 31 persons to preventive detention and 14 were released after they gave undertakings for good behavior in future.
He also informed that the detainees have confessed to bringing illegal weapons to be used during the bandh. Police are searching probable sites and investigating this matter vigorously.
Earlier, reiterating its earlier demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister Pema Khandu from the post, ANYA had announced 36-hour Itanagar Capital Complex (ICC) bandh on January 13.
Meanwhile, ANYA president Byabang Joram has refuted to the claims of the police regarding hiring of anti-social elements from other States to create law-and-order disruption in the State.
Joram has appealed to the police to release the youths detained during the bandh.
He also that said the bandh call was peaceful and the association will announce its future course of action later.
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