3 hrs ago
Arunachal Pradesh Minister Warns Illegal Bandhs Will Face Legal Action
Arunachal Pradesh’s home minister said people do not have a legal right to force a bandh, or shutdown, if it harms other people’s rights.
He warned that the law could be used against groups that enforce illegal bandhs.
Frequent shutdowns can stop people from working, travelling, and using services normally.
The minister also said disruptions may make companies less willing to work in the state.
Congress MLA Kumar Waii agreed that bandh calls were causing problems for ordinary people.
He said the government should listen to groups before their complaints become shutdowns.
The government has held meetings with several organisations about their concerns.
The minister said the number of bandh calls has already gone down.
Home Minister Mama Natung said bandh calls are illegal when they interfere with others’ fundamental rights.
Natung warned that those enforcing illegal bandhs could face action under state laws.
He said frequent disruptions affect normal life and may discourage companies from operating in Arunachal Pradesh.
Congress MLA Kumar Waii urged the government to address organisations’ grievances before they lead to bandh calls.
The minister said bandh calls had reduced significantly after consultations with stakeholder groups.
- Who
- Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung and Congress MLA Kumar Waii discussed the issue of bandh calls.
- What
- Natung declared that illegal bandh calls could attract legal action and appealed to people to discourage the practice.
- Where
- Arunachal Pradesh, including the state Assembly in Itanagar.
- When
- The issue was raised during Zero-Hour discussions in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly; the report is dated September 8.
- Why
- Frequent bandhs disrupt normal life, affect essential services and property, and may discourage companies from operating in the state.
Government enforcement
Grievance resolution
Response to illegal bandhs
Government enforcement
Mama Natung said bandh calls that interfere with fundamental rights are illegal and warned that the law would take its course against those enforcing them.
Grievance resolution
Kumar Waii said the government should take the issue seriously and address organisations’ grievances before they turn into bandh calls.
Effect on the public
Government enforcement
The minister said frequent bandhs disrupt normal life, essential services, and development activity.
Grievance resolution
Waii said unrecognised unions were calling bandhs over petty issues and causing considerable hardship to ordinary people.
Engagement with organisations
Government enforcement
Natung said the government was willing to hear unions and organisations and cited recent consultations with stakeholder groups.
Grievance resolution
Waii argued that grievances should be resolved early so organisations do not use shutdowns to pressure the government.
Key facts
- Minister
- Mama Natung, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister
- Assembly issue
- Frequent bandh calls were raised by Congress MLA Kumar Waii during Zero Hour.
- Legal position
- The minister cited a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that there is no legal right to call or enforce a bandh when it interferes with others’ fundamental rights.
- Relevant law
- The Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014 covers bandhs enforced through intimidation, fear, or threats.
- Property damage
- The Arunachal Pradesh Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 2020 provides for dealing with property damage and recovering losses.
- Companies mentioned
- National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited were cited as keeping offices outside the state because of disruptions.
- Government consultations
- A high-level meeting on May 27 and May 29 led to plans for four committees addressing certificate re-verification, non-APST offspring, the Inner Line Permit system, and infiltration concerns.
Quotes
Mama Natung
Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister
“If any union gives an illegal call for bandh, the law will take its course.”
theprint.in
“Peace is the prerequisite for development.”
theprint.in
Sources
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