ACCI, BWCs to defy AYO's bandh call

Itanagar, Sep 27 (UNI) The Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) and various Bazaar Welfare Committees (BWCs) have decided to defy the second phase bandh call given by the Arunachal Youth Organisation (AYO) on September 30 and October 1.

Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, ACCI general secretary Tarh Nachung said no shopkeeper would close his shop on those days, adding that the demands raised by the organisation were already being considered by the state government.

''Frequent bandhs called by the organisations and associations in the Capital Complex adversely affect the trading fraternity, the government and public being the worst affected, facing losses in crores,'' ACCI president Techi Lala said.

Saying that there was no valid reason for the AYO to call bandhs, Mr Lala argued that issues such as shifting of the secretariat office to Moin Happa, power devolution to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, beside others, as raised by the organisation, could be solved by other means.

He informed that volunteers of the BWCs and the ACCI would be ready to thwart any untoward incident during the two days.

The apex bodies of the traders also urged the district administration to provide sufficient police personnel for the traders' security.

Pointing out that there are other democratic ways like holding peaceful rallies and dharnas to raise issues, Mr Lala clarified that the ACCI and market welfare committees were not against bandhs but that the demands must be genuine, valid and constructive.

Meanwhile, Papum Pare District Deputy Commissioner Bidol Tayeng and Superintendent of Police Hibu Tamang today jointly appealed to all sections of the society to come out and defy the proposed bandhs.

The DC had already declared the bandh unlawful, saying that the AYO had proved itself as an irresponsible organisation by calling a bandh without understanding the issues.

The DC also issued arrest warrants against AYO president Yowa Bullet, General Secretary Tana Juna and Assistant General Secretary Kabak Lalit.

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