India is the world’s biggest democratic country and Arunachal Pradesh is one of the states that make the country stronger owing to its strategic significance and abundance of natural resources.

Till 2007 Arunachal Pradesh was going through an era of suspicion, apprehension and instability but suddenly this changed when late Dorjee Khandu took over the reins of the state’s affairs. ‘The Laughing Buddha’ did not hesitate throughout his stint to admit that he never dreamt of becoming the Chief Minister. Slowly people of the state as well as the Central Government started believing in his leadership and funds started pouring in.

The political upheaval in the state has prompted many organizations to throw claims and counter claims with frequent ‘bandh’ calls in the state

The Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Apex Bank, the only state owned financial institution and the state’s public distribution system were streamlined. Very audaciously, the 6th Pay Commission report was implemented. The `24,000 crore Prime Minister’s special package came as a blessing and the state was back to work. There were praises from political higher-ups and the masses. There was a belief that Arunachal would become the highest per capita income generating state by 2020 when all hydropower projects would start reaping revenue.

Unfortunately, along with Khandu the aspirations and dreams of Arunachalees have crashed and been lost. In just four months, Arunachal Pradesh is back to the situations of the 90s. While dissidents howling for leadership change are camping in New Delhi for many weeks, the state itself is being ravaged by fierce winds of instability.

 

The occurrence of the regular ‘bandh’ calls also shows the complete failure of law and order in the state in all aspects due to the neglect of the problems being faced by the common mass including the business community

Everyone is aware of the situation which has arisen in the state; even young school goers know what is right and wrong. It is not necessary to explain the inhuman scene created in the state. This situation of confusion of leadership in the Congress Party speaks very negatively of a government which prides itself as a People’s First Government. In this entire series of events, the people were last on anyone’s mind and they were left to fend for themselves as nature’s fury struck at many places in the state. As the so called island of peace loving state of North East India, Arunachal Pradesh, besides nature’s fury, has seen frequent ‘bandh’ calls and a political imbroglio within AICC which have deteriorated the law and order situation and brought the development process of the state to a standstill with huge losses to the state exchequer.

After the demise of Late Chief Minster Dorjee Khandu lovingly referred to by the people as Laughing Buddha, the state has witnessed many unpleasant situations including instability and division over the leadership issue of government besides law and order problems. With the political imbroglio within the All India Congress Committee (AICC) going on in the state, many other political parties have started the blame game for ‘instability of government’ and for not being sensitive towards the problems faced by the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

People of most of the interior areas of the state are deprived of essential medicines as the road link has been disrupted after Mother Nature recently unleashed her fury.

With the recent abduction of PHE Minister Chouna Mein, the political drama in the state acted as fuel to burn the issue which prompted most of the ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries including MLAs of the ruling Congress Party to camp at New Delhi for want of change in the leadership of Arunachal Pradesh whose Chief Minister is now Jarbom Gamlin.

The political upheaval in the state has prompted many organizations to throw claims and counter claims with frequent ‘bandh’ calls in the state which has led to the stagnation of otherwise speedy development.

The recent ‘bandh’ call on October 11th and 12th witnessed unprecedented violence which left scores injured, some seriously wounded with a few losing their lives and several shops ransacked besides damage to a few private residences. Shopping complexes B.B.

Plaza and Teli Plaza were ransacked and dozens of vehicles were set on fire by the angry protestors. Earlier several places within the Indira Gandhi Park were set on fire including the main rostrum. The national highway and the sector roads within the twin townships of Itanagar and Naharlagun were all blocked with boulder and bamboo barricades which seem to be the answer to all questions created by the political upheaval in the state which does not need any explanation.

 

Along with Khandu the aspirations and dreams of Arunachalees have crashed and been lost. In just four months, Arunachal Pradesh is back to the situations of the 90s

Pained by the series of events that unfolded due to the ‘bandhs’, Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin called upon the people of all communities and urged them to remain calm in the face of the situation which has arisen out of the ‘bandhs’.  “We must collectively tackle these issues on the basis of dialogue and consensus. Violence has to be rejected at all cost,” he added. The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Nabum Tuki in a statement has appealed to all to maintain peace and harmony for the good of all and to stand up for a better and peaceful Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and ANSU have deferred their 36- hours ‘bandh’ call in view of the tense situation arising out of the unwanted police firing incident at IG Park, Itanagar causing fatal injuries to one of the anti - rally cadre.

The occurrence of the regular ‘bandh’ calls also shows the complete failure of law and order in the state in all aspects due to the neglect of the problems being faced by the common mass including the business community. However, as is usually the case, it is the poor villagers who are the worst affected by the frequent ‘bandhs’.

The current political situation of the state has witnessed a drastic change from that under Late Dorjee Khandu which does not augur well for the state and for its people. Now it seems that the pillar of democracy in Arunachal Pradesh has been splintered.

For want of a stable government, other parties and legislators have demanded for President’s Rule in the state so that the instability does not hamper the development process as Arunachal Pradesh, being a sensitive border state, has witnessed a collapse in the law and order situation even as the law and order situation in Tirap, Changlang and Lohit districts deteriorate day by day. They have stated that the present Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin has failed to deliver due to the infighting within the ruling party. Appealing to the general people, they have said that there is no development activity or effective administration and have urged them to think seriously about the development and future of the state.

With differences emerging from within the Congress Party, governance has virtually come to a screeching halt. Since the formation of the post - Khandu government under Jarbom Gamlin as the Chief Minister, things have not worked out as the people have expected. The Congress party will really need to rethink its Arunachal strategy if it has to be taken seriously at all in the next elections.

The question that strikes every lucid mind is: Why don’t our leaders understand the essence of political stability which is the ultimate ingredient to peace, progress, and prosperity? Most feel that the legislators need to stop doing things for their petty interest and satisfaction, but rather start living up to the expectations of those who reposed faith in them. If they don’t listen to their conscience now, they will face repercussions in the next assembly elections as the electorate has already made up its mind to audit their performances. At this juncture, the people of Arunachal Pradesh can not afford dissension but the need to forge ahead in unison is the need of the hour.

‘Bandh’ calls are no longer a tool of democracy and have been banned by the Supreme Court and so one can only hope, wait and see when the political turmoil with frequent ‘bandh’ calls will end in this so called peace loving state of the North East where today’s youth are victims of short term gain which can never promise a healthy and wholesome future.

EP Desk