𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Thousands of indigenous youths of Arunachal Pradesh on December 27 took out a massive Mashaal rally in the state capital to protest against Bangladesh-related issues and alleged illegal immigration, intensifying demands for protection of indigenous land, identity and national security.

During the protest, demonstrators burnt an effigy of Bangladesh Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus and the national flag of Bangladesh.

The rally was jointly organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal (IYFA), and the All Naharlagun Youth Organisation (ANYO). It commenced in the evening from Akashdeep and culminated at the Tennis Court area in Itanagar. Organisers said the protest remained peaceful and disciplined throughout.

The indigenous youth groups reiterated their long-standing opposition to illegal immigration in Arunachal Pradesh and raised concerns over what they described as illegal masjids and unauthorised structures in the Itanagar Capital Region. They alleged that such constructions violate existing laws and pose a threat to indigenous land rights and internal security.

The protesters also condemned the recent killing of an Indian Hindu man in Bangladesh, which they alleged was a case of mob lynching, and said the effigy burning was an expression of outrage over the incident.

APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak, speaking to the media, strongly condemned statements by Bangladeshi youth leaders regarding the integration of the Northeast states. He asserted that the Northeastern states are capable of defending themselves in the event of any conflict. Liyak also criticised the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Home Department over the alleged influx of illegal immigrants in the frontier state, which shares international borders with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.