| Staff REPORTER |
Itanagar, May 15: The 36-hour Itanagar bandh called by the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee turned violent on Friday, with incidents of road blockades, stone-pelting, attacks on vehicles, and gherao of the Itanagar Police Station reported from different parts of the twin capital region.
The bandh, called in protest against the recently issued “Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guidelines, 2026,” badly affected normal life across the Itanagar Capital Region. Government and private offices, banks, post offices, schools, colleges, financial institutions, business establishments, shops, and petrol pumps largely remained closed during the bandh period.
Protesters reportedly blocked stretches of National Highway-415 at several locations, disrupting vehicular movement. Although traffic movement was observed in some parts of the capital region during morning hours, large numbers of protesters later took to the streets demanding the immediate release of leaders and members of the agitation who had been detained by police on Thursday.
According to sources, around eight persons, including executive members of the organisation namely Millo Ambo, Sol Dodum, and Tana Tamar, were detained by the police in connection with the call for shutdown, effective from 5 am of May 14.
Thousands of people from different walks of life reportedly marched from Naharlagun towards Itanagar Police Station demanding the release of all detained protesters.
Following the growing protest, Home Minister Mama Natung ordered the release of all detainees and appealed to the protesters to withdraw the bandh.
However, despite the assurance from the minister, tension escalated outside the Itanagar Police Station where angry protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting. Police personnel later used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
Later, all members of the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee detained in connection with the bandh were released after the Itanagar district administration revoked the preventive detention orders issued against them.
The agitation was launched against the new “Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guidelines, 2026,” which includes the introduction of a digital e-ILP system with QR code verification and stricter monitoring mechanisms.
The organisation alleged that certain provisions of the new guidelines violate the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 and could adversely affect the rights and interests of indigenous communities of the State.
The committee has been demanding correction and review of the gazette notification issued by the Political Department regarding the new ILP guidelines.
Police officer suffers serious
eye injury during violence
Meanwhile, Sub-Inspector Tamo Bakhang, once hailed for his bravery during the 2025 Hollongi gunfight involving alleged drug kingpin Rohit Basumatory, has sustained a serious eye injury during bandh-related violence near 6 Kilo along the Itanagar-Naharlagun road on Friday.
According to reports, the police officer was on his way towards the protest site when miscreants allegedly attacked his vehicle by pelting stones amid the unrest linked to the 36-hour bandh in the Itanagar Capital Region.
The impact reportedly shattered the vehicle’s glass, causing severe injuries to both his eyes. He was immediately rushed to Niba Hospital for emergency treatment and was later referred to TRIHMS, Naharlagun.
Sources said doctors observed sharp glass cuts on his eyeballs, raising concerns over possible permanent vision loss or partial visual impairment. Following preliminary treatment, the officer has reportedly been referred to Delhi for advanced medical care.