Itanagar: Restrictions were imposed under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Bordumsa in Arunachal Pradesh after a hearing under Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was disrupted.The order, in force until further notice, prohibits the assembly of five or more people in a specified area, unauthorised rallies, public marches and protests. It also restricts the carrying of weapons, lathis and other lethal objects.The office of the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) was allegedly vandalised and an All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) volunteer was injured during the incident.According to Bordumsa ADC and electoral registration officer S. Tayang, the Bijoypur hearing was held at Panchayat Hall on September 3 to consider claims and objections filed under Forms 6 and 7. The proceedings were adjourned after youths disrupted the hearing.The administration rescheduled the hearing for September 4 at the ADC office conference hall. As it resumed, protesters under the AAPSU banner, demanding the deletion of names of Chakma and Hajong voters allegedly enrolled after 2006, allegedly broke open the office gate, entered the premises and disrupted the proceedings.The ADC said the protesters vandalised the office and manhandled him. He also alleged that stones were thrown at Chakma and Hajong community members attending the hearing. According to him, retaliatory stone-pelting injured an AAPSU volunteer.The ADC said the situation was under control and there was no major law-and-order problem. The restrictions were imposed as a preventive measure to maintain peace and public safety.Meanwhile, AAPSU president Meje Taku demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the violence in the Bordumsa-Diyun area and called for the suspension of the SIR process in areas inhabited by Chakmas and Hajongs.Addressing a news conference in Itanagar, Taku said an AAPSU committee visiting the area had faced violence and that union activists, including a leader, had been injured. Dismissing claims that the injuries resulted from police tear gas or counter-attacks involving firearms as AI-generated propaganda, Taku said knives and daos were used against their members.“They started the fight, and we are going to finish it. We gave them shelter, water, and food as guests, but today they are targeting the masters of the house,” Taku said. He also demanded that no FIRs be registered against AAPSU members.Taku accused some local administration officials of favouritism and nepotism towards the Chakma and Hajong communities. He said the union would submit a list seeking their suspension and criticised the government over what he described as long-standing demographic tensions.AAPSU has demanded the arrest of those responsible for the alleged attack, including the alleged ringleaders, and an immediate halt to the SIR process in all areas inhabited by Chakma and Hajong voters.The union has convened an emergency extended meeting on September 12 at DK Convention Hall. Indigenous apex bodies, community-based organisations, student unions, youth organisations and political parties have been invited to decide on its next course of action.Police and district administration personnel have been deployed following reports of regrouping near Tatamal. AAPSU said indigenous groups would unite to protect their rights and shape the future of the state.
