Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Indefinite Bandh in Arunachal's Lekang Over New Recruitment Rules
People in a part of India called Lekang, in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, are very upset.
They stopped work and blocked roads to protest.
They are angry because the state government made new rules for government jobs.
The new rules say a person must live there permanently and speak a native tribal language.
Some people who have lived in Lekang for a long time but are not from the tribal group worry they will not get jobs anymore.
Right now, 80 out of 100 government jobs go to tribal people and 20 go to others.
The protesters sent a letter to the Chief Minister asking him to protect their jobs.
The police came to keep everyone safe.
Leaders are meeting to talk about the problem and find a solution.
The protesters say they will not go to court yet, but they may take other democratic steps if their demands are not met.
An indefinite bandh began at 5 am in Lekang circle, Arunachal Pradesh, over the state cabinet's new government recruitment eligibility rules.
Protesters blocked roads at key entry points including Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate.
The new rules require permanent residence, APST or indigenous status and proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language for Group A, B and C posts.
Protest representative Horojit Morang called the cabinet decision 'unconstitutional' and warned that legal scrutiny could jeopardise the existing 80:20 reservation arrangement.
A memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Aug 12, and talks with Lekang MLA Likha Soni and Namsai Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering were scheduled for the evening.
- Who
- Community-based organisations, students' unions and NGOs in Lekang, led in part by representative Horojit Morang, protesting against the state cabinet's decision.
- What
- An indefinite bandh with road blockades against new uniform eligibility criteria for government recruitment in Arunachal Pradesh.
- When
- Began at 5 am on Friday; a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister on Aug 12.
- Where
- Lekang circle, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Protesters fear the new rules, which require permanent residence, APST/indigenous status and indigenous tribal language proficiency, will exclude longstanding non-APST domicile holders from government jobs.
Protesters' View
State Government's View
Uniform recruitment eligibility
Protesters' View
New rules requiring permanent residence, APST/indigenous status and indigenous tribal language proficiency will shut out genuine non-APST residents who hold valid domicile and resident certificates.
State Government's View
The state cabinet decided uniform eligibility criteria are needed for government recruitment, and directed APPSC and APSSB to apply them to Group A, B and C posts.
80:20 reservation arrangement
Protesters' View
The existing 80:20 reservation (80% APST, 20% non-APST) must continue so that longstanding Lekang residents, including indigenous inhabitants with land survey records dating to 1968, retain employment protection.
State Government's View
Protesters say unions and organisations that demanded the policy changes would be responsible if the reservation framework ends up struck down or reduced to 50:50.
Legal and constitutional route
Protesters' View
The cabinet's decision is 'unconstitutional'; a PIL and judicial scrutiny, citing the 1992 Supreme Court ruling in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, could jeopardise existing reservation quotas.
State Government's View
Protesters say they will not take the matter to court for now, asking the government and Joint High-Powered Committee to review historical records and domicile status and threatening democratic steps if demands are unmet.
- Location
- Lekang circle, Arunachal Pradesh, India
- Bandh start
- 5 am on Friday, indefinite
- Roadblocks
- Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate, Dirak Gate
- New eligibility criteria
- Permanent residence, APST or indigenous status, proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language
- Existing reservation arrangement
- 80% APST / 20% non-APST vacancies
- Affected recruitment boards
- APPSC and APSSB (Group A, B and C direct recruitment)
- Memorandum
- Submitted to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Aug 12
- Planned talks
- Lekang MLA Likha Soni and Namsai DC Lobsang Tsering with protest leaders