10 hurt in clash over APPSC scam in Itanagar

GUWAHATI: At least 10 people, including four security personnel, were injured in a clash that erupted in Itanagar during a bandh over the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).The bandh was called to press for the fulfillment of the 13-point charter of demands of the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee, which turned violent resulting in the clash between security personnel and protesters who came out in large numbers defying prohibitory orders.The state cabinet decided to “call off” the swearing-in ceremony of the new APPSC chairman and members, which was scheduled to be held on Friday.Appealing to the agitating youths and people in general to maintain peace, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu invited the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee-APPSC to the civil secretariat on Saturday for a discussion of their demands.“The protesters should call off their agitation and not create an ugly law and order situation as it will be detrimental to the state. The bandh will not solve any issue, only discussions can,” he told the media at Itanagar.He added, ”Our intention was to completely overhaul the commission during whose tenure the alleged scam took place and reframe its standard operating procedure. We believe this is the only way forward to regain the faith of the people in the commission. Therefore, to set the ball rolling, all members of the erstwhile commission resigned on moral grounds,” he said.“We respect the sentiments of the people and that is why we have called off the scheduled oath-taking ceremony of the new chairman and members of the commission,” he added.He said it appears that several aspirants, their parents and the general public are not in agreement with the steps the government was taking and came out on the streets to protest.He said the government has dealt with the paper leak episode with an iron fist from day one and the special investigation cell of the state vigilance department was given a free hand to investigate the case and apprehend all who had a role in it irrespective of power or position.