Arunachal Pradesh Bandh Called Off, Government Agrees To Demands Of PAJSC

The government of Arunachal Pradesh has agreed to a list of 13 demands put forward by the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC), which has been fighting the issue of paper leaks in the state public service commission. 

Following two days of unrest in the state capital since Friday, the Arunachal Pradesh government has agreed to the 13-point demands of the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) in response to the lack of adequate action against those involved in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) cash-for-job scam.

The decision to agree to the demands, arrived after eight hours long discussion between the state government, representatives of PAJSC, All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU), Nari Shakti and activist Sol Dodum late on Saturday night at the civil secretariat. 

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Home Minister Bamang Felix, Water Resource Development Minister Mama Natung were present along with senior bureaucrats in the meeting. According to the minutes of the meeting made available, the government responded positively to most of the 13 point demands for which the protestors have withdrawn the bandh call from Sunday.

The government informed that the chairman, secretary and members officials of APPSC from 2014 to 2022 and any other official/private person are already under the purview of investigation. Based on the findings of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken by the investigating agency, CBI.

In response to the ongoing issue of paper leaks in the APPSC, the state government had written to the Gauhati High Court, requesting the designation of a Special Fast-Track Court to handle the cases. The court responded positively to this request, and has agreed to designate the District and Sessions Court Yupia (or any other District and Sessions Court) as a special fast-track court to take up the APPSC paper leak cases.

The government has also agreed to recommend setting up of a standing grievance redressal committee and institutional mechanism to deal with the grievances of the candidates and aspirants. Further, they agreed to put forth a demand to the government of India within a month for a high-level enquiry committee headed by a retired SC or HC Judge for examinations wherever the paper leak took place from 2014-2022.

On the request of the aspirants, the state government will formally write to Enforcement Directorate to investigate all incumbents in the APPSC from 2014-2022 within this month. The government also announced that whistleblower Gyamar Padang will be recognized appropriately for his contribution.

For the last two days, the streets of the state capital wore a deserted look with business establishments, markets, banks, educational institutions, government and private offices remained closed and vehicles kept off the road. Thousands of protestors blocked the NH-415 by burning tyres. The state capital on Friday also witnessed clashes between protesters and police, causing injuries on both sides. As many as ten persons were injured. Faced with large scale demonstrations by aggrieved aspirants and their family members on Friday, the government had temporarily suspended internet services in the capital region from 6 pm of Friday to 5 pm of Sunday in the "interest of public safety".

Protestors also damaged a few motorcycles and vehicles. The situation prompted Chief Minister Pema Khandu to call off the oath taking of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) chairman and members on Friday. The state government had also postponed the state board exams for class 5, 7 and 11, scheduled on Saturday. An official order stated that the board exams in all schools of the capital region have been postponed and would be held later.

(With inputs from PTI)