Arunachal govt imposes Sec 144, UAPA over Capital bandh call

Itanagar: Terming the 72-hour ICR bandh called by a few people since May 10 as ‘illegal’, Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) DC Talo Potom on Monday said that the district administration Arunachal Pradesh has enacted the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014.

Addressing mediapersons in his office, Potom said that the district administration has also issued an order under Section 144 CrPC in view of the fear of violence and disturbance of law and order in the capital region.
He said the proposed ban was “illegal” and the DA had invoked the Unlawful Activities Act to detain and arrest those enforcing the ban.

Action under the Act is being carried out by police personnel, who will become more active from Tuesday. The District Magistrate said that under the Act, police officials can arrest or detain people who violate the order.
“The order issued this time is different from any previous order as this time the administration is taking strict action to suppress the bandh call. We have also directed the police personnel to carry out strict checking, confiscation of any kind of weapons,” he said.

The DC added that DAICR is also planning a flag march to instill confidence in the public and oppose such shutdown calls.
The district administration has also ordered all ICR arm shops to close their respective shops and further directed people to deposit all arms and ammunition at the nearest police station for safekeeping till the situation returns to normal.
Besides, orders have been issued to close liquor shops and gathering of more than three people has also been banned.

“There may be violence during the bandh call, which will eventually lead to chaos in the entire capital complex. The shopkeepers concerned have therefore been directed to remove stones, stones, iron pipes, stones from nearby shops along NH-415. Remove the tires.
Calling a shutdown or any other activity that disrupts society is unconstitutional and not very democratic, Potom added.

“Therefore, every strict action within the ambit of law will be initiated against the caller to ensure that no public property is damaged and also to ensure public safety. “