ITANAGAR: Expressing dismay over the violence that broke out here over the issue of granting permanent residence to non-natives, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Kumar Waii on Tuesday denied reports that three persons were killed in police firing during the protests.
The minister also claimed he wasn’t aware of deployment of additional companies of the ITBP and the CRPF in the state capital, fuelling speculations of a rift within the Pema Khandu-led government.
“I am deeply shocked to learn about the death of three youths, but none of them was killed in police firing. I had directed DGP SBK Singh and SP (Itanagar) M Harsh Vardhan to put the trouble mongers behind bars without any violence,” he said, while responding to queries from media persons.
On Sunday, sources had said three persons were killed and as many injured when police opened fire on the agitators. Protests had broken out in Itanagar and Naharlagun town on Saturday after the ruling BJP government announced that it was considering issuing permanent resident certificate (PRC) to six non-Arunachalee communities, prompting the administration to clamp curfew and suspend internet services.
The agitation, which raged on for three days despite the curfew, subsided after Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Monday that his government wouldn’t pursue the issue any longer. (PTI)
