Mob set ablaze public properties, ransack police station in Changlang district

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: An irate mob led by a students' body, set on fire several public properties and ransacked a police station in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh Friday morning, police said here.

A group of around 400 people led by Yobin Students Union (YSU) set on fire the office of the Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), post office and Special Bureau office of the state police besides, ransacking the police station at Vijaynagar in Changlang district at around 08.30 AM, police PRO Rohit Rajbir Singh said.

"The angry mob came from nearby Gandhigram area armed with daos, lathis, bows and arrows and set on fire the public properties before going back demanding immediate fulfilment of their demands," Singh said.

The civil helipad was also partially damaged by the mob, the PRO said adding that there was no report of human casualties.

"The situation is tense, but under control. Around 30 police personnel led by Changlang Superintendent of Police (SP) MihinGambo are presently camping in the area, while additional forces are being dispatched for maintaining law and order," Singh said.

Tirap, Changlang and Longding region DIG Kime Kaming had already air dashed to Vijaynagar, while a senior police team led by IGP (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa along with SB SP John Pada is on the way to Vijaynagar, Singh informed.

"The senior officers will camp in the area for the next few days, till the situation becomes normal," he said.

The demands of the protestors include, cancellation of rights for the over 2000 odd former Assam Rifles personnel settled in the area since decades, to participate in Panchayat elections and to immediately deport them.

Vijaynagar is the remotest circle in Changlang district surrounded on three sides by Myanmar. It is yet to be connected by roads. The circle comprises of sixteen villages having a population of over 4000 people. Fifty five percent of the population belong to retired Assam Rifle personnel and 45 percent comprises from Lisu (Yobin) tribe.

The settlement of the Assam Rifle personnel began from May 7, 1961 onwards. Prior to 1961, this place was little known to outside world.

As there is no road connection to the area, people are dependent on military helicopter for essential services and requirements.

Several students' bodies in the state opposed participation of Assam Rifles personnel in the December 22 panchayat polls, which prompted the State Election Commission (SEC) to defer the elections for the Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad constituencies under Vijaynagar, with apprehension of breakdown of law and order in the area.

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