Arunachal Pradesh’s Capital Complex faced a complete shutdown on Tuesday as three local organizations called a 12-hour bandh, affecting daily life in Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli, and Banderwa. Markets, banks, schools, government offices, and businesses remained closed, and traffic was minimal on the roads.

The bandh was organized by the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal (IYFA), Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), and All Naharlagun Youth Organisation (ANYO). The groups demanded the demolition of mosques and madrasas they claim were built illegally, identification and deportation of alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and a ban on weekly markets in the capital.

Authorities detained six individuals for enforcing the bandh. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Chukhu Apa, stated that adequate security was deployed and warned against the circulation of inflammatory voice messages, promising strict legal action to maintain peace.

On border security, Apa highlighted improvements to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. The new ILP 3.0 aims to close loopholes and strengthen monitoring. Police have detected nearly 9,000 individuals entering Arunachal without valid permits, with thousands of cases registered so far.

Earlier, the Capital District Magistrate declared the bandh illegal under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 163 of the BNSS, citing threats to public order and potential disruption of municipal and panchayat elections. The Magistrate emphasized Supreme Court rulings that bandhs violate constitutional rights and warned of penal action against those enforcing the shutdown.