Opposition demands Pema Khandu’s ouster, moves Governor

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Holding the ruling BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh responsible for the tragedy in the anti-PRC agitation, an All-Party Coordination Committee (APCC) delegation led by former Chief Minister Gegong Apang on Wednesday called on Governor Brig (retd) Dr BD Mishra on Wednesday and demanded the immediate ouster of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Coming out of Raj Bhavan here, Apang told media persons that they submitted a memorandum while APCC president Takam Sanjoy apprised the Governor of the volatile situation created by the State Government leading to death of three youths.

“I served Arunachal Pradesh for 22 years to earn the sobriquet “Island of Peace”, but the Khandu government turned it into a hell for which he should resign to pave the way for normalcy to return,” said Apang, who is the Northeast in-charge of Janata Dal (Secular).

He added, “An impartial judicial probe should be ordered to bring those responsible to justice and deceased Risso Tari, Viki Ruja and Tsering Wangdi should be declared as martyrs.

Taking a dig at the announcement of Rs 20 lakh ex-gratia for next of kin of the deceased, Apang said there is no provision of ex-gratia as per tribal custom for which the three bereaved families have turned down the offer.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy said the Governor, being the constitutional head of the State, responded positively to act as per law but informed that the Army had no role in the firing.

“If the Army did not fire and Home Minister Kumar Waii has clarified that he had not given the firing order to the police, the paramilitary forces brought in by the State Government must have fired,” Sanjoy said.

Accusing Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju for his role in the recent rampage in the State capital, Sanjoy said he has already demanded his resignation in writing.

Reiterating the demand for Khandu’s resignation and a judicial probe, National People’s Party legislature party leader Tanga Byaling demanded that the Governor should apply his special constitutional powers.

Byaling wondered as to why Chief Secretary, Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner and SP have not been suspended, if not terminated, after this tragedy.

People’s Party of Arunachal president Kahfa Bengia in a scathing attack asked: “Why this government took up PRC issue which is not permissible?

The APCC was formed after a meeting on Tuesday with Sanjoy as convenor.

Also read: Arunachal news