Indefinite bandh begins in Arunachal over job rules

An indefinite bandh called by community-based organisations, students' unions, and NGOs in Lekang circle of Arunachal Pradesh's Namsai district began on Friday morning to protest the state cabinet's recent decision on uniform eligibility criteria for government recruitment.

The shutdown, which commenced at 5 am, disrupted normal life as protestors enforced road blockades at key entry points, including Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate, and Dirak Gate.

The new framework makes permanent residence, Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST), or indigenous status, along with proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language, mandatory for applicants. 

The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) have been directed to integrate these provisions into upcoming recruitment cycles for direct recruitment to Group A, B, and C posts.

Protesting leaders contended that the policy threatens the livelihood of genuine non-APST residents who hold valid domicile and resident certificates. 

Horojit Morang, a representative of the agitating organisations, criticised the cabinet's decision as 'unconstitutional' and cautioned that opening the state's existing reservation framework to legal scrutiny could have adverse consequences.

Citing the Supreme Court's landmark 1992 ruling in the Indra Sawhney v. Union of India case, Morang warned that judicial intervention could jeopardise the state's existing reservation quotas.

"If tomorrow somebody files a PIL and the reservation is struck down or reduced to 50:50, the unions and organisations which demanded such changes will have to take responsibility," he said, adding that the administration and the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) were aware of the potential legal ramifications.

Under the state's existing 80:20 reservation arrangement, 80 per cent of vacancies are earmarked for APST candidates, while 20 per cent are allocated for non-APST aspirants.

Bandh enforcers expressed apprehension that scrapping this arrangement would render domicile-holding candidates from Lekang circle, many of whom are indigenous inhabitants possessing historical land survey records dating back to 1968, ineligible for state jobs.

Before launching the strike, the protesting bodies submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on August 12. 

The representation urged the state government and the Joint High-Powered Committee to review historical records and domicile status before finalising the policy, ensuring that genuine domicile or resident certificate holders of Lekang are not excluded from public employment opportunities.

"We will not take the matter to court for now. Our demand is that reservation and employment protection must be ensured for the people of Lekang. If this is not done, we will take democratic steps," Morang said.

Lekang Assistant Commissioner Tojum Ete said the shutdown, which began at 5 am, was ongoing, but confirmed that no untoward incidents had been reported so far.

"Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed and are patrolling the area to thwart any untoward incident," Ete said.

To defuse the tension arising from opposition to the state cabinet's new government recruitment eligibility criteria, Lekang MLA Likha Soni and Namsai Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering are scheduled to hold discussions with the leaders of the protesting organisations in the evening.