Violence mars 12-hour AAPSU-sponsored bandh

Itanagar, Nov 30 (UNI) Life was disrupted here today due to the dawn-to-dusk Itanagar bandh called by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), demanding the removal of North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) Director Prof Kalyan Kumar.

AAPSU activists attacked a vehicle of the Doordarsan Kendra and assaulted its director Arun Um Sakat.

The bandh was total throughout the capital complex as all shops and business establishments downed their shutters, while central government offices, banks and other financial institutions, educational institutions and other commercial institutions remained closed.

However, state government offices remained open but with thin attendances.

Private vehicles remained off the road while a few state transport buses were seen plying on the roads with escort.

The district administration had made elaborate security arrangements within the capital complex to control the law and order situation.

Papum Pare District Superintendent of Police Hibu Tamang claimed that barring a few stray incidents of stone-pelting during the morning hours, the bandh was largely peaceful.

However, no AAPSU activists were arrested so far, he added.

The AAPSU had called the bandh to protest the alleged plagiarism of Prof Kumar and submitted a memorandum to tne Arunachal Pradesh Governor on Noveber five, demanding removal of the director.

Today's bandh was the second phase of the AAPSU's agitation.

During its first phase, the union staged dharna at Raj Bhawan on November 16 along with members from various students' organisations from the North Eastern states, including representatives from the North East Students' Organisation (NESO).

UNI