๐ญ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฐ-๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ต: ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Normal life in Ziro came to a standstill on Tuesday, October 21, following a 24-hour bandh jointly called by the United Youth Joint Steering Committee (UYJSC) and the Bamin Michi Youth Association (BMYA).
The shutdown, which began at 5:00 am and will continue until 5:00 am Wednesday, October 22, has disrupted transport services, closed markets and offices, and kept most residents indoors.
The bandh was called in protest against the ongoing construction of the Unity Gate. The Bamin Michi Youth Association (BMYA) has accused the Tanii Supuรฑ Dukuรฑ (TSD) of proceeding with the project without proper consultation with local landowners and of changing the location from the site originally proposed in 2015.
In a statement, the association clarified that its protest is not communal in nature. It said discussions have already been held with the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and the Joram family to maintain harmony while addressing the issue.
The BMYA has demanded that the Unity Gate be built at the initially approved site and that the authorities engage in proper dialogue with the affected landowners before continuing construction.
Despite the shutdown, essential and emergency services, including healthcare, remain operational. Meanwhile, the Apatani Youth Association (AYA) and the Apatani Studentsโ Union (ASU) have opposed the bandh, urging locals to carry on with their routine activities.
Security personnel have been deployed across key areas to prevent unrest. While the situation remains largely peaceful, tension persists in some parts of the town, with bandh supporters seen monitoring roads to ensure compliance.
