Zero tolerance not just against bandh callers but also those supporting: Itanagar admin talks tough

More arrests likely as Itanagar DC said that police has been asked to arrest all those “hard core bandh callers who are hiding in jungles”

Itanagar DC Talo Potom speaks to Northeast Live

By Marina Dai

Amid bandh calls being given and rumours being spread about further extension of the bandh that is putting the state’s peace and calm at stake, Arurnachal Pradesh government has decided to crack the whip on all those who are calling for bandhs and using social media platforms to spread terror and unrest and fear mongering trying to unsettle the society.

“We have zero tolerance. We will arrest not just those people who are calling for bandhs but we will also arrest those who are extending support. The Police has been directed to arrest all those hard core bandh callers who are hiding in jungles. We have already arrested 99 per cent,” Itanagar DC Talo Potom told Northeast Live today in Itanagar.

Talking tough, the DC said that letters have already been sent to several YouTubers and social media users asking them to immediately take down all content that has the potential to disrupt peace and spread fear among the people.

DC Potom said that the administration and the government is considering lifting the ban on mobile internet service but they will not do so till the time they are assured that no one is trying to use the net to cause disruptions by rumour mongering and spreading fake news.

“Our opinion too was that we should open the internet services. But we got to know that videos are being made and made viral which is not right. We do not want negative messages and inflammatory content going out through social media. I found from my friends, people are circulating videos talking about extending the bandh. This is false news and spreading such wrong information is wrong,” the DC said.

Asked about how many days the arrested people will have to stay behind bars, DC Potom said, “As per the Unlawful Act (Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014) they have to be in jail for 12 days, after that another 3 months to 6 months. There is a committee at the higher level which will decide on their jail term”.
Regarding the relaxation of Section 144 in Itanagar, DC Talo Potom said that by 5PM this evening Section 144 will get expired.

The DC assured all living in the state and those planning to come to the state, “You are safe and secure in the hands of the present government”.

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