*Denies political role, urges to maintain prevailing peace
By A O News Service
ITANAGAR, Mar 02: The public movement against permanent residential certificate (PRC) took a turn on Saturday with family members of deceased Risso Tari, 23, who was killed in firing, demanded the murderer be handed over to them within seven days to be dealt as per Nysihi customary laws.
The PRC episode witnessed devastation in Capital Complex during February 21 to 24 but protestors defying imposed curfew went on rampage that claimed lives of three youths and destruction of properties worth crores. However, normalcy returned since February 24 and the state Govt lifted ban on telecom system on Friday.
Tari’s elder brother Risso Kiagung, flanked by brothers Risso Taka & Risso Taju, brother-in-law Khyoda Ajin, wife Risso Yalup and minor son Risso Tagia, told media persons in Arunachal Press Club here that when Home Minister Kumar Waii has clarified that he has not given firing order to police, the order should have been given either by Chief Minister Pema Khandu or DyCM Chowna Mein or chief secretary Satya Gopal and they should be totally held responsible for the tragedy.
When told that the CM has announced Rs 20 lakh ex-gratia and a job for next of the kin, Kiagung quipped that “Life cannot be sold or bought. “The state Cabinet chaired by CM decided to grant PRC and there was move to take it up in the Assembly for which 48-hour bandh was called by many organisations. Had the CM announced to scrap the PRC on Feb 21, neither my brother would have been killed around 1 AM on Feb 22 nor the situation would have gone out of control of the state Govt,” he said.
Thus, the state Govt is sole responsible for the rampage by civil society members as CM’s announcement to drop PRC issue never reached them and no leaders were spearheading the movement as there was no political involvement,” he said.
When informed about the CM’s statement about remaining in touch with families of all three deceased and to meet them when the situation normalizes, Ajin said that no authority either contacted or met them even after passing of eight days.
Kiagung made a fervent appeal not to disturb prevailing peace by believing rumours as peace, returned after many sleepless nights, which is in greater interest of the civil society.
When asked if the state Govt fails to meet the demands, Kiagung said that they want justice and wait for a week before deciding the next course of action.
When asked if bandh call would be their modus operandi, he replied in negative saying bandhs are in nobody’s interest so the family would decide when time comes.
Wife Yalup, only an 18-year-old woman, with her 31/2-year-old son sitting on her lap, failed to respond to repeated questions as the shock had made her speechless.
However, Tari’s married elder sister Risso Annie, a graduate, exhorted the public to stand behind the family to ensure justice to the bereaved family. The innocent child unaware of his father’s death is still asking about him, she added.
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