Bharat Bandh: Normal life affects in Arunachal Pradesh

Normal life throws out of gear in many states, including Arunachal Pradesh, as Bharat bandh called by Congress-led opposition party over the fuel prices hike and depreciation of rupee, turned violent in many places, said sources.

In Arunachal, business establishments, including shops, banking system and educational institutional were remained closed in view of the nationwide protest, a police officer said.

Most roads in the state wore a deserted look as vehicular movements, including public and private vehicles were off the road, causing commuters and other pedestrians, police said.

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According to reports, in the state capital over 100 Congress activists, including Mahila Congress workers, state Youth Congress president Geli Ete and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) secretary John Taksing were arrested by police after resorting to violence.

The protesters burnt tyres in many places in Itanagar and in various other places to block roads, Superintendent of Police, Itanagar, M Harsh Vardhan said.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Jarjum Ete alleged that SP Vardhan used an abusive language against several Congress Mahila activists during the peaceful protest. A complaint would be file against him with the DGP, he said.

However, the SP denied the allegation saying that after repeated pleas from him the party resorted to pelting stones and created law and problem situation much before the bandh timing.

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“Being a responsible party, such activities are not expected from the Congress,” the SP added.

Opposition leaders in the Centre has appealed the party workers to maintain peace during the protest and restraint from any sort of violent act, the sources said.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Takam Sanjoy claimed that the bandh is total and peaceful.

(With inputs from agencies)