Itanagar: An indefinite bandh called by community-based organisations, students’ unions and NGOs in Lekang circle of Namsai district started at 5 am on Friday, demanding protection of govt employment opportunities for domicile and resident certificate holders.Protesters are enforcing road blockades at Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate.Horojit Morang, a leader of the groups, termed Arunachal Pradesh cabinet’s decision on uniform eligibility criteria for govt recruitment “unconstitutional” and warned that any legal challenge could bring the state’s reservation system under judicial scrutiny.He cited Supreme Court’s 1992 Indra Sawhney judgement, which set a general 50% ceiling on reservations, and said litigation could risk the existing 80:20 arrangement. Morang said the organisations will not move court immediately, but would take “democratic steps” if their demand is not addressed.The organisations submitted a memorandum to CM Pema Khandu on Aug 12 seeking eligibility for Lekang domicile certificate holders in state govt jobs. They said the current 80:20 arrangement reserves 80% of posts for APST candidates and 20% for non-APST candidates, and argued that some indigenous residents of Lekang do not hold APST certificates but possess valid domicile or resident certificates.They cited historical land and survey records, including the 1968 land survey, and warned that making govt employment exclusive to APST candidates could render such applicants ineligible. The memorandum sought a separate provision for eligible domicile holders and asked govt and joint high-powered committee to examine Lekang’s historical records and domicile status before finalising any revised policy.The protest follows cabinet’s approval of uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to Group A, B and C posts, making permanent residence, APST or indigenous status and proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language mandatory. APPSC and APSSB have been directed to implement the new provisions in future recruitment.–
