Arunachal activist files PIL to repeal APUAPA, Court asks State to respond in 4 days

By Ripunjoy Das

Arunachal social activist Payi Gyadi has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before a the Itanagar Permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court, for scrapping the controversial Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014 (APUAPA).

Accordingly, the High Court has issued notice to the State Government to respond within 4 weeks, Gyadi said during a telephone interview with North East Live.

The activist claimed that the state government has been trying to suppress the voices of social activists who voice their opposition to the state government by using this act.

“The state government is trying to suppress the ongoing hot issue of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leakage,” he said.

Gyadi lamented that the detainees are being kept in jail with the convicted criminals, “not even informing their relatives and parents, with no legal provisions for detainees”.

“The law is low standard which is hit by doctrine of repugnancy, lack of legislative competence, violation of specific fundamental right under the part 3. APUAPA does not make provision for people for their remedy. It is illegal; confiscatory besides arbitrary & discriminatory. There are no legal rights for accused and law has given full power to the administration and state government,” he reasoned.
The social activist further claimed that the Act was passed by the then-state government without proper verification and judgment.

It may be mentioned that the Itanagar District magistrate detained 41 persons under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (APUAPA) on May 8–9 to prevent any law and order situation during the 72-hour bandh called by certain individuals and groups from May 10–12 to protest the APPSC scam.

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