Bandh brings Arunachal to standstill

Itanagar, Aug 25 (UNI) Life was affected in Arunachal Pradesh today following a 36-hour state-wide bandh against 'unfair' draw of a lottery in which prizes were allegedly won by the committee members and relatives of Chief Minister Gegong Apang.

The bandh, called by the All Arunachal Pradesh Donyi-Polo Vidhya Bhawan Raffle Lottery Ticket Holders' Committee (AAPDPVBRLTHC), began at 0500 hrs this morning. All business establishments, commercial institutions, post offices and educational institutions remained closed. Public and private transport remained off the roads. However, state service buses were seen plying with escort.

The government offices, too, recorded thin attendance.

Barring a few incidents of stone pelting, so far no untoward incident had been reported from any part of the state.

''The bandh is absolutely peaceful throughout the state and we are making elaborate security arrangements to provide security to the people,'' Director General of Police Amod K Kanth told UNI.

''All the offices are running as usual and attendance would be increased as the day progress,'' he added.

This was the second phase of agitation launched by the AAPDPVBRLTHC, the first being a 12-hour Itanagar bandh on August 21.

The draw of the lottery which was organised in aid of Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan, a reputed institution of the state, snowballed into a major controversy soon after the announcement of prizes, which went to committee members and relatives of Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the Institute.

The state unit of BJP, All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) and Arunachal Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) have already extended their support to the agitating people and urged the committee to re-think its decision and to re-schedule the draw to ease out the ongoing tension.

AAPDPVBRLTHC president Toko Doni has said the bandh would be carried out and appealed to the citizens to support the strike for legitimate demands of the common masses.

He urged parents of the Doni-Polo Vidhya Bhawan to withdraw their wards from the school till a concrete solution was reached.

The AAPDPVBRLTHC also demanded Chief Minsiter's resignation on moral grounds.

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