Normal life was disrupted in Lekang circle of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday as community-based organisations, students' unions and NGOs launched an indefinite bandh in protest against the state cabinet's decision to introduce uniform eligibility criteria for government recruitment.
Roadblocks at main access points
The shutdown began at 5 am and protestors enforced blockades at key entry points, including Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate, obstructing movement of people and vehicles and affecting routine activities in the area.
What the new recruitment framework requires
The state cabinet has directed the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) to incorporate a set of uniform eligibility conditions for upcoming direct recruitment to Group A, B and C posts. The framework makes the following mandatory:
- permanent residence in Arunachal Pradesh;
- Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) or indigenous status; and
- proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language.
Protestors argue the provisions will exclude a number of genuine residents who possess valid domicile and resident certificates but do not fall under APST categories.
Protestors warn of legal and livelihood consequences
Leaders of the agitation said the policy threatens the livelihoods of non-APST residents holding lawful domicile documentation. Horojit Morang, representing the organisations leading the bandh, criticised the cabinet decision as unconstitutional and warned of possible legal fallout that could affect the state's reservation regime.
"If tomorrow somebody files a PIL and the reservation is struck down or reduced to 50:50, the unions and organisations which demanded such changes will have to take responsibility," Morang said.
Morang invoked the Supreme Court's 1992 ruling in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, cautioning that judicial scrutiny could challenge the state's existing reservation arrangement.
Existing reservation arrangement
Arunachal Pradesh presently follows an 80:20 reservation split for government vacancies — 80% of posts reserved for APST candidates and 20% for non-APST aspirants. Protest leaders fear the new eligibility criteria could alter the balance of who can compete for the 20% non-APST quota.
| Category | Reservation share |
|---|---|
| APST candidates | 80% |
| Non-APST aspirants | 20% |
Actors involved and stance
The bandh has been organised by a coalition of community organisations, students' unions and non-governmental organisations. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) and the state administration were named by protest leaders as being aware of the potential legal implications of the cabinet decision.
As of the latest reports, there has been no official reversal of the cabinet's directives to the APPSC and APSSB. The protest remains in place and is being enforced at the main access points to the circle.
Local impact and what to watch for
- Travel delays and restricted access through Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate while the bandh continues.
- Possible escalation if discussions between organisers and authorities do not commence or fail to resolve concerns.
- Legal challenges could follow if public interest litigations are filed questioning the constitutional validity of the new eligibility criteria, as warned by protest leaders.
Authorities and recruitment bodies — the APPSC and APSSB — will be central to implementing or pausing the new provisions. Any formal announcements or clarifications from the state government, the recruitment boards or the AAPSU would be expected to shape the next phase of events in Lekang.
This report is based on accounts of the bandh and the cabinet decision as circulated by local protest leaders and public reports.
