Arunachal Pradesh: ANYA defers 48-hour Itanagar shutdown

In a major development, the All Nyishi Youth Association has decided to defer the 48-hour bandh in Itanagar Capital Region following the government’s decision to release the detained ANYA members.

Briefing the media after a meeting with Itanagar DC Talo Potom, ANYA president Byabang Joram said the Association has decided to defer the bandh call for now following the government’s move to release its members. However, this should not be considered the end of its agitation.

The ANYA president also refuted allegations that the agitation was launched to meet any political ambition. Joram said that the ANYA is a non-political organisation and it was forced to call the second bandh after the district administration refused to release its members.

Babang also dismissed police claims that outside elements were brought in to create disturbances during the 36-hour bandh called on January 13th.

It may be mentioned that the ANYA move came after the authorities gave the nod for the release of at least 20 of 33 ANYA members and supporters detained under UAPA. The Nyishi Elite Society, the apex body of the Nyishi’s, had also made a fresh appeal to the ANYA to call off the bandh and sit across the table for talks with the government on its concerns.