student organisations demanded the renaming of IG Park tennis court as ‘martyr’s ground, among their several other demands.
Itanagar
The All Law Student Union (ALSU), Nyishi Ethnic Student Association (NESA), All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) and All Tagin Students Union (ATSU) placed several demands before the State Government for immediate action.
The demand included permanent scrapping of the PRC issue, adequate compensation for the deceased’s families, including job security and Rs 1 crore each, proper medical treatment and compensation to the injured person, renaming the IG Park tennis court as ‘martyr’s ground, unconditional release of all the activists, revocation of any charges filed against individuals or organisation leaders during the bandh call,suspension of Capital Superintendent of Police Harsh Vardhan and Sub-Inspector Sushant Jha for their alleged atrocities on peaceful protesters and repealing or redefining the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention (APUAP) Act.
In a joint press conference here at Press Club, Yurum Tamin, president ALSU says that if Chief Minister Pema Khandu had withdrew the PRC issue in advance, then in such case our three brothers, who lost their precious life fighting for the good cause of indigenous people, would have been alive among us, Tamin deeply expressed, while conveying condolence to the bereaved families.
On police firing, Tamin strongly expressed that the government could have used various other method to disperse the crowd rather than opening fire. The atrocities and provocation from the police end made the public outraged due to which the crowed went out of control.
Responding to the demand of late Risso Tari’s family to hand over the personnel who shot Risso, Tamin clarified “We have no answer to that but will support the demands of the family. And surely we want the answer from the government on who authorized open firing at the protesters”.
Nabam Tado, president APPDSU termed SP Capital Harsh Vardhan and SI Sushant Jha’s act of atrocities meted out on him and other arrested union members as “Gunda Giri” while expressing “We are not criminal but fighting for the case of our people”.
Informing about forceful withdrawal of bandh call, Tado narrated how they were tortured and beaten from the time they were arrested to till the time they were released. “We were hustle around from Hollongi Out Post, Naharlagun Polic Station, Itanagar PS to PTC Banderdewa at Gate No1 to Arunachal Hotel at Room no 209. The SP also threatened that he will make us disappear if we do not follow his orders to bring in other organization leaders”, he informed.
On charges of taking money to withdraw the case, Tado welcomed anyone to bring in evidence against any leaders of the four organizations. He also meanwhile appealed to the victims and media persons to file FIR against police atrocities while saying “Our Capital Complex is not Manipur or Kashmir where people are treated as criminals”.
The organizations further thanked all the citizens who came out to support the fight against issuing of PRC to Non-APST.
