Arunachal Pradesh: Protest Over E-ILP Turns Violent In Itanagar; CM Defends New Guidelines.

Itanagar; May 2026: The 36 hours Itanagar bandh called by the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee turned violent, with incidents of road blockades, stone-pelting, attacks on vehicles, and gherao of the Itanagar Police Station reported from different parts of the twin capital region yesterday (Friday – 15th May 2026).

The bandh, called in protest against the recently issued ‘Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guidelines, 2026’, threw normal life out of gear across the Itanagar Capital Region. The organisation alleged that certain provisions of the new guidelines violate the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 and could adversely affect the rights and interests of the indigenous communities of the State.

The committee has been demanding correction and review of the gazette notification issued by the Political Department regarding the new ILP guidelines. Government and private offices, banks, post offices, schools, colleges, financial institutions, business establishments, shops, and petrol pumps largely remained closed during the bandh period. Protesters blocked stretches of the National Highway-415 at several locations, disrupting vehicular movement.

Although traffic movement remained below normal in some parts of the capital region during the morning hours, large numbers of protesters later took to the streets demanding the immediate release of leaders and members of the agitation who were arrested by the police on Thursday (14th May 2026).

According to sources, around 08 persons, including executive members of the organisation namely Millo Ambo, Sol Dodum, and Tana Tamar, were detained by the police in connection with the call for the shutdown that came into effect from 05:00 hours of May 14. Thousands of people from different walks of life marched towards the Itanagar Police Station demanding the release of all detained protesters.

Following the growing protest, State Home Minister Mama Natung ordered the release of all detainees and appealed to the protesters to withdraw the bandh. However, despite the minister’s assurance, tension escalated outside the Itanagar Police Station where angry protesters resorted to stone-pelting. Police personnel later used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Later, all members of the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee detained in connection with the bandh, were released after the Itanagar district administration revoked the preventive detention orders issued against them.

Amid the unrest, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu defended the new ILP framework, stressing the need for digitalisation to strengthen monitoring and curb irregularities in the system. “The ILP in paper has been going on for years now, and I agree there are irregularities and gaps because Arunachal Pradesh shares a long border with Assam, with over 16 gates between the two states”, Khandu said. He added that the traditional system was no longer sufficient for effective regulation. “Thus, the older system of ILP through paper will not be able to regulate properly. We are integrating the ILP system into an electronic-digital system. Once launched, we will be able to monitor the number of ILPs issued and also track movement, including people exiting the state”, he said.

Khandu further stated that the digital system would help identify violations more efficiently. “People with invalid or expired ILPs residing in the state will also be identified through the digital system. Paper ILP is not suitable for Arunachal Pradesh”, he added. Calling for calm, the Chief Minister urged public cooperation. “I urge the public to cooperate with the government for a long-term solution. Bandhs and closures will not solve the problem; they will only cause losses to our own people”, he said.

The agitation was launched against the new ILP guidelines, which include the introduction of a digital e-ILP system with QR code verification and stricter monitoring mechanisms.

Team Maverick.