Arunachal : PAJSC begins its 3-day sit-in protest in Itanagar calling for fulfilment of its demands

The Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) fighting the paper leak issue of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has begun its 3-day sit-in dharna calling for the immediate fulfilment of its 13-point charter of demands.

The committee has launched the sit-in protest at the Tennis Court in Itanagar.

This move comes in the backdrop of the state government’s failure to address or fulfill any of the 13 demands outlined in the 13-point charter during the year that has passed since Lt. Gyamar Padang first revealed the paper leak fraud on August 28, 2022.

The PAJSC is also demanding the immediate revocation of the suspension order of the committee’s chairman Techi Puru besides also demanding the immediate cancellation of his detention order under Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Techi Puru, had been suspended by the state PWD over his participation in the movement.

The PAJSC is also demanding immediate release of financial compensation for all protesters injured during the bandh call on February 17 and 18, 2023 and withdrawal of all charges against the protesters as assured by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

It may be mentioned here that PAJSC has been demanding to declare null and void the APPSC exams from 2014-2022, in which alleged malpractices are found.

The 13-point charter of demands put forth by the PAJSC includes:

1.The chairman, secretary, members and all other officials of APPSC from 2014 to 2022 must be immediately brought under the purview of investigation. If any discrepancies are reported, arrests must be made immediately.
2.Immediate constitution of a fast-track court for prosecution of the accused involved in the APPSC paper leakage scams.
3.Immediate establishment of state administrative tribunal.
4.Immediate endorsement of (enforcement directorate) and court-monitored probe and also immediate seizure of assets/properties (movable and immovable) of all the accused and the incumbents of APPSC along with their kit and kin.
5.Immediate disclosure of the status of the various departmental enquiry reports initiated so far against the various suspended or arrested officials and subsequent dismissal/ termination thereof.
6.Immediate disclosure of the three-member committee report.
Suspension of all the upcoming examination till the completion of investigation process and endorse UPSC to conduct the upcoming examination till the completion of investigation process.
7.The higher officials above the rank of Deputy Secretary serving between 2014 to 2022 must be investigated and arrested if necessary.
Any exam found to have involved malpractices like paper leakage scams must be immediately declared ‘null and void’.
8.Inclusion of two members from the aspirants in the preparation of SOP (standard operating procedure) of APPSC.
9.Immediate legislation and implementation of whistle blower act with special provisions for the protection and rewards to the whistle blowers.
Justice for Mudang Yabyang, person with Disability (PWD) and the streamlining of selection criteria for PWD candidates.
10.Immediate recalling of the three officials posted under APPSC.