ITANAGAR: Hours after the district magistrate (DM) of Itanagar imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the city as a precautionary measure ahead of social activist Sol Dodum’s scheduled “peaceful” protest at Tennis Court on August 7, the activist along with Tane Tamar and Taw Paul have sought permission to stage the protest. Reports inform that they will meet the concerned authorities later in the evening and take a final call on it. For now, the probable dates of the protest have been decided as August 10 and 11.
Earlier, the prohibitory order was enforced after it was discovered that Dodum had not obtained the necessary permission from the Itanagar district administration to stage the demonstration. In the official notification, the Itanagar DM highlighted that “no permission has been obtained from the deputy commissioner, Capital Itanagar, for the proposed dharna”.
Concerns were raised over potential public disturbances and breach of peace due to the sudden and unpermitted gathering at Tennis Court. As a result, Section 144 has been implemented to maintain law and order in the region.
The peaceful protest was scheduled with the objective of demanding the annulment of APUAP Act, pursuant to which activist Techi Puru was recently charged for carrying out social service activities along the Naharlagun and Itanagar NH415.
The location chosen for the protest is also the same site where the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) had called for the establishment of a Statue of Honesty in honor of Gyamar Padang, the courageous whistle-blower involved in the APPSC question paper scam.
Dodum, an activist known for his fight against corruption, gained prominence last year when he undertook a remarkable journey covering more than 200 kilometers on foot. The expedition aimed to draw attention to the pressing needs of the people and demand the rehabilitation of a road destroyed during the installation of water delivery pipes in the Seppa Township of the East Kameng district.
Starting from Seppa on April 15, 2022, Dodum reached Itanagar on April 18, making a resolute plea for the provision of clean drinking water and other essential facilities for the Seppa Township.
The imposition of Section 144 comes as the authorities seek to maintain public order in the wake of the planned demonstration, ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens of Itanagar.
