Arunachal government orders probe into violence over PRC issue

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who chaired the meeting, said the inquiry committee will be headed by an officer holding the rank of a Commissioner while another committee will be set up to assess the losses and damages caused to government and private property.

Khandu announced ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh each to the three killed in police firing during the mob violence in Itanagar and a government job to one of their family members. He said a compensation up to Rs 10 lakh will be provided for those injured.

The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the state capital and its adjoining Naharlagun town. It also directed the district administration and police officials across to be on alert and prevent any rumour-mongering.

Violence erupted here on Friday after the government's move to grant permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes communities.

Eighteen student and civil society groups, alleging a committee led by Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia had submitted its report on the PRC without proper verification of facts, had called on protests to mount pressure on the state government to scrap the decision. Later that day, protesters set ablaze 50 vehicles and damaged over 100 vehicles.

Khandu also chaired a meeting with community-based organisations, political parties and students' organizations to work out peace in the state capital.

However, the National People's Party and the Congress boycotted the all-party meeting.

Terming the incidences of violence in state capital as "unfortunate", Khandu said there has been communication gap regarding the PRC issue that was to be brought up in the assembly, adding it was only for discussion and in no way or form a bill or a resolution.

The Chief Minister said the PRC is now a closed chapter and the government will not take it up the matter again.

Expressing dismay over the violence that broke out here over the issue of granting permanent residence to non-natives, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Kumar Waii Tuesday denied reports that three persons were killed in police firing during the protests.

The minister also claimed he wasn't aware of deployment of additional companies of the ITBP and the CRPF in the state capital, fuelling speculations of a rift within the Pema Khandu-led government.

"I am deeply shocked to learn about the death of three youths, but none of them was killed in police firing. I had directed DGP SBK Singh and SP (Itanagar) M Harsh Vardhan to put the trouble mongers behind bars without any violence," he said, while responding to a volley of questions from media persons.

Waii said people should cooperate with the police to ensure their safety and security.

Pointing out that it wasn't possible to pin blame on any particular group or community for the protests, Waii said taking action under such circumstances was unlikely.

He also denied knowledge of political involvement in the violence and asserted that a thorough inquiry would be conducted into the episode.

Asked about Khandu's decision to constitute a peace committee, Waii said he would follow instructions as and when he was asked to.

He also said he had sent messages to Khandu, requesting him to call for a cabinet meeting and all-party convention to bring normalcy in the trouble-torn capital.

"The cabinet meeting was held Sunday, but I wasn't officially intimated about it," the home minister said.

Asked to clarify on the requisition for additional forces, he said rule suggests that the DGP send the proposal to the home minister for further processing.

"I am not aware who made the requisition for the Army, ITBP and CRPF personnel," he maintained.

Waii appealed to the people to stand united to ensure peace in the capital.

"Itanagar is our home and all possible efforts should be made to restore normalcy here," he added.

Khandu had earlier appealed to the people to cooperate with the government in maintaining peace.