By Felix Anthony
Miao, Feb. 25, 2019: A student union in Arunachal on February 25 organized a peaceful candlelight rally and fundraising campaign to support the families of the four boys who were killed in police firing
“Our four brave hearts have laid their lives for us and for our future generations. It is because of their supreme sacrifice, the Arunachal government has decided not to table the Permanent Citizen Bill in state assembly again,” Sengman Ronrang, president of the Tangsa Students Union’s Changlang district, told the rally at Miao.
“The lost lives will not come back again but they will live in our hearts forever. We must stand together and support the families our brave men who sacrificed their today for our tomorrow,” Ronrang added.
The rally urged welfare societies to generously contribute to the fund.
Nearly 500 people took part in the rally that saw the participation of Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society, Yobin Welfare Society, Yobin Youth Association, Galo Welfare Society, Tagin Student Union, Singpho Women Organization, Muklom Elite Society, Singpho Development Society, officers, public leaders and Church representatives.
“We are not against anyone. We are a very peace loving community. Impulsive decisions without reference to the true sentiments of the people of the state and the untimely death of the four young lives all could have been easily avoided. We have come here to condole the death of our brave boys and to express our solidarity with the bereaved families”, said Ms. Pinna Kitnal, a women leader from the district.
A collection box was kept at the concluding point of the rally and everyone chipped in with their generous contribution.
The situation in Arunachal is returning to normalcy after three days of widespread violence that witnessed stone pelting, firing and torching the private house of the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. The situation turned uncontrollable after a young boy protesting over the government decision to grant Permanent Residential Certificate to non-indigenous people was shot dead on February 22 and three more protesters were killed in police firing the next day.
In the wake of the sudden turn of tragedy, the Government has decided to grant Rs. 20 Lakh and Government job to the kin of the bereaved family and 10 Lakh to the injured.