Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 10 Jun: The Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) on Wednesday rejected the state government’s proposal to address concerns over alleged illegal structures and immigration through a High-Power Committee (HPC), reiterating its demand for immediate action, including the demolition of what it termed unauthorised mosque structures in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here, APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak said the organisation was not interested in participating in another committee-based mechanism and urged the government to directly implement measures to address its concerns.
“We do not want another committee. If the government is serious about resolving the issue, it should directly enforce the law and dismantle illegal structures,” Liyak said.
The organisation maintained that it had deliberately stayed away from the government’s consultative process and alleged that concerns regarding undocumented immigrants had not been adequately addressed. APIYO also criticised the constitution of a committee on illegal infiltration and immigration, claiming that despite repeatedly raising the issue, it had not been included in the panel.
Responding to allegations by the All Arunachal Pradesh Masjid Welfare Committee (AAPMWC) that the movement selectively targeted one faith, Liyak asserted that APIYO was not opposed to any religion but was focused on issues relating to illegal immigration and unauthorised constructions.
The organisation questioned whether the authorities could conclusively verify the citizenship status of all non-local Muslims residing in the state and alleged that illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants might have entered Arunachal Pradesh. It called for a comprehensive verification drive covering residents, labourers, business operators, and Inner Line Permit holders.
APIYO further claimed that if around 1,000 people were associated with each of the 15 mosque structures identified in the ICR, the cumulative number would be significant and warrant verification. It also referred to mosques and a madrasa in districts such as East Siang and Lohit, seeking similar scrutiny across the state.
The state government, meanwhile, has maintained that action has already been initiated against unauthorised religious structures. Government spokesperson and Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona recently stated that all 15 mosque structures identified by the district administration as operating without the requisite approvals in the ICR had been shut down following due legal procedures.
However, APIYO argued that closure alone was insufficient and reiterated its demand for the lawful demolition of the structures. The organisation claimed that it possessed documentary evidence supporting its concerns and had submitted the materials to the Chief Minister’s Office during a meeting held on January 17.
Warning of intensified democratic agitation if its demands were ignored, APIYO said it could organise a large-scale protest in New Delhi to draw national attention to the issue.
