Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet ordered probe into violence over PRC issue

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday decided to set up an inquiry committee to probe the violence over the permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue that led to the death of three people and damage to public and private property in arson attacks.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who chaired the meeting, said the inquiry committee will be headed by an officer holding the rank of a Commissioner while another committee will be set up to assess the losses and damages caused to government and private property.

Khandu announced ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh each to the three killed in police firing during the mob violence in Itanagar and a government job to one of their family members. He said a compensation up to Rs 10 lakh will be provided for those injured.

The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the State capital and its adjoining Naharlagun town. It also directed the district administration and police officials across to be on alert and prevent any rumour-mongering.

Khandu also chaired a meeting with community-based organizations, political parties and students’ organizations to work out peace in the State capital.

However, the National People’s Party and the Congress boycotted the all-party meeting.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday urged the Arunachal Pradesh Government to immediately initiate dialogue process with all stakeholders to restore peace in the northeastern state which has witnessed sustained violence over the move to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities living in the state.

Rijiju also clarified that the Pema Khandu-led State Government has decided not to issue permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes and insisted on all political parties to discuss the issue.

“The violence erupted because of the State Government’s failure to communicate to the people that it will not implement the PRC. The state government has already decided that it will not issue PRC,” Rijiju told the media here.

“Peace must be maintained at any cost. The state government must immediately talk to all organisations, civil society and all political parties to ensure peace and normalcy. There should not be any politics on this. When it comes to issues of the masses, we all must work together,” he said. (IANS)

Also read: Arunachal News