Arunachal: Mashaal Rally Held in Itanagar Against Illegal Immigration
Indigenous youth organisations staged a torch rally in Itanagar demanding identification and deportation of alleged illegal immigrants.
ITANAGAR- Thousands of indigenous youths and residents participated in a Mashaal rally in Itanagar on Saturday evening, raising concerns over the alleged presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Arunachal Pradesh and demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws.
The protest, organised in the form of a “Mashaal Rally,” began from the Akashdeep area and concluded at the Tennis Court area within the Itanagar Capital Region. Participants carried torches and placards while raising slogans calling for the protection of indigenous land, identity and demographic balance.
During the rally, protesters burnt an effigy of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the national flag of Bangladesh, expressing anger over what they described as provocative remarks by individuals and leaders from across the border.
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Protesters also linked their demonstration to recent incidents of violence in Bangladesh, including the reported killing of an Indian Hindu man, which they cited as evidence of broader regional tensions.
The rally was jointly organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal (IYFA) and the All Naharlagun Youth Organisation (ANYO). Organisers stated that the protest remained peaceful and disciplined throughout, with no reports of violence or damage to public property.
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Addressing the media, APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak reiterated the demand for identification and deportation of illegal immigrants and the removal of what organisers described as unauthorised settlements in and around the Itanagar region. He alleged that inaction by authorities had intensified public anxiety over demographic change and cultural erosion.
The protest comes amid sustained pressure from indigenous youth bodies, which have previously announced ultimatums and organised shutdowns on the same issue. The groups argue that unchecked migration poses risks to cultural preservation and land rights in the state.
State authorities have maintained that issues related to illegal immigration are being handled by law enforcement agencies under existing legal frameworks. Officials have also appealed to organisations to ensure that protests remain within the bounds of law and order.
