The latest action comes after sustained protests and mobilisation by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), which has been raising concerns over unauthorised structures and settlement patterns in parts of the state.
Representational Image: ANI Photo of a mosque
The Arunachal Pradesh government has sealed 15 mosque sites in the Itanagar Capital Region after an administrative exercise found them to be operating without the required approvals, bringing the contentious issue of alleged illegal settlements and demographic concerns back into sharp focus in the northeastern state.
The development has once again brought attention to concerns frequently raised by indigenous groups regarding migration, settlement patterns, and demographic shifts in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Several organisations have argued that unchecked settlements and unauthorised constructions could affect the state’s tribal character and place pressure on limited land resources.
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The latest action comes after sustained protests and mobilisation by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), which has been raising concerns over unauthorised structures and settlement patterns in parts of the state.
The organisation had previously announced agitation programmes, including a shutdown call in the capital region, while demanding government intervention on what it described as a growing challenge to indigenous interests.
State government spokesperson and Education Minister P.D. Sona said the matter was formally taken up with the government earlier this year during discussions between APIYO representatives and Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Following those representations, district authorities were directed to examine the status of religious structures allegedly operating without mandatory permissions.
A verification exercise conducted by officials subsequently identified 15 mosque sites within the Capital Complex area that were found to be unauthorised.
According to the government, authorities followed due process before proceeding with enforcement measures.
Officials completed legal scrutiny and administrative proceedings in most cases before carrying out sealing and eviction-related actions. The remaining cases were reviewed separately before similar action was initiated.
P.D. Sona said the administration had addressed the concerns raised by indigenous organisations through legal and administrative channels and expressed hope that further agitation could be avoided.
The developments come against the backdrop of recent consultations led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu involving tribal bodies, student organisations, civil society groups, legal experts and political representatives.
Those discussions focused on issues linked to indigenous rights, demographic concerns and implementation of regulatory mechanisms such as the Inner Line Permit system.
During those deliberations, the state government reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of indigenous communities while addressing concerns related to illegal immigration, settlement patterns and demographic changes through legal and constitutional mechanisms.
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