Arunachal capital erupts over illegal settlers
Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organization (APIYO) has expressed concern over unauthorized mosques and called for a two-day bandh.
Minister for Education, Parliamentary Affairs and Government spokesperson PD Sona told media persons: “APIYO met Prime Minister Pema Khandu on January 27, 2026 and expressed concerns regarding unauthorized mosque structures.
“The government immediately instructed the administration to identify such structures and act in accordance with the law. Around 15 unauthorized mosque structures were detected in the Capital Complex. Approximately 12 of them were sealed or evacuated by the District Governorate after the necessary legal process.”
He added: “On June 1, 2026: Prime Minister met with APIYO leadership again to review the remaining three cases. On Thursday, the remaining three structures were also sealed. The issue underlying the proposed bandh has already been resolved through legal administrative action. The public deserves to know the facts. It is, therefore, hoped that the bandh call will be withdrawn in the interest of larger public interest.”
The 24-hour Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) bandh called by APIYO on May 28 disrupted normal life. The organization is considering demanding another 48-hour bandh.
Sona said Arunachal shares the inter-state border and illegal immigrants are a cause for concern.” Last May 27, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured that the State Government will work with all stakeholders to reach concrete and long-term solutions on issues related to indigenous tribal rights, demographic concerns, Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulation and APST related issues.
Addressing a high-level consultative meeting, the Prime Minister described the talks as “historic” with the participation of all key stakeholders, including community-based organizations (CBOs), student bodies, legal experts, civil society representatives, political leaders and senior government officials.
The marathon meeting, which lasted about seven and a half hours without interruption, was attended by Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union, representatives of ST Bachao Andolan Committee, political parties and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Law Department, Political Department, Directorate of Native Affairs and other relevant departments.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the ST Bachao Andolan Committee for drawing the attention of the Government to what he called a “long-standing issue” that has remained unresolved for years despite repeated discussions in the past.
He noted that the concerns raised were not specific to Arunachal Pradesh alone but were part of a larger national problem linked to illegal migration, demographic changes and threats to indigenous identity and cultural preservation.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the Red Fort on August 15, 2025, the Prime Minister said the Union Government has already recognized demographic imbalance and illegal migration as serious concerns affecting law and order, indigenous culture and national security.
He informed the meeting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently apprised the national-level High Level Committee on Demographic Change, comprising a retired judge, retired IAS and IPS officers and senior officials of the Home Ministry, stating that the issue had received serious attention at the national level.
The Chief Minister stated that the State Government has in principle accepted the four main demands put forward during the meeting, including the long-standing demand for creation of a separate department dedicated to the management and regulation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR).
Announcing the government’s in-principle approval for the creation of a separate ILP Department, the Chief Minister said the proposal has been consistently advocated by both the AAPSU and the ST Bachao Andolan Committee.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged concerns regarding demographic change and its impact on indigenous tribal culture, traditions and identity, stating that preservation of Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural heritage remains a collective responsibility.
