Itanagar, August 14: An indefinite bandh began in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lekang circle in Namsai district on Friday against the state Cabinet’s recent decision introducing uniform eligibility criteria for government recruitment.
The shutdown was called by community-based organisations, student unions and NGOs and began at 5 am, with protesters blocking roads at Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate, disrupting normal activities in the area.
Under the revised recruitment framework, permanent residence, Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) or indigenous status, and proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language will be mandatory for applicants. The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board have been directed to incorporate the provisions into future direct recruitment for Group A, B and C posts.
The protesting organisations have opposed the changes, arguing that they could affect genuine non-APST residents of Lekang holding valid domicile and resident certificates.
Horojit Morang, a representative of the protesters, termed the Cabinet decision “unconstitutional” and warned that it could expose the state’s existing reservation framework to legal challenges. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment, he said judicial intervention could potentially affect the existing reservation system.
Under the existing 80:20 arrangement, 80 per cent of vacancies are reserved for APST candidates and 20 per cent for non-APST aspirants.
The protesters claimed that many domicile-holding residents of Lekang were indigenous inhabitants and possessed historical land survey records dating back to 1968. They expressed concern that the revised eligibility criteria could make such residents ineligible for government employment.
The organisations had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on August 12, urging the government and Joint High-Powered Committee to examine historical records and domicile status before finalising the recruitment policy.
“We will not take the matter to court for now. Our demand is that reservation and employment protection must be ensured for the people of Lekang. If this is not done, we will take democratic steps,” Morang said.
Lekang Assistant Commissioner Tojum Ete said the bandh was continuing and no untoward incident had been reported. Police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed and were patrolling the area.
Lekang MLA Likha Soni and Namsai Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering were scheduled to hold discussions with representatives of the protesting organisations on Friday evening in an effort to resolve the issue.
