Arunachal Pradesh Clamps Down on Weekly Markets to Curb Illegal Immigration

The Arunachal Pradesh government has restricted weekly markets in the Itanagar Capital Region and Papum Pare district to Saturdays only, aiming to prevent unauthorised immigration and revenue loss. This decision, involving district-level implementation, follows concerns raised by indigenous youth organisations.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has announced new restrictions on weekly market operations in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) and Papum Pare district, limiting them to Saturdays. The official order, issued by Commissioner of Home department Saugat Biswas, aims to curb unauthorised immigration and address revenue leakages.

This decision was made following a high-level meeting chaired by the state's Home minister in response to concerns from organisations like the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation and the All Naharlagun Youth Organisation. It was reported that weekly markets held on multiple days enabled non-local vendor participation and unauthorised immigrant entry, alongside significant state revenue losses.

The state government has given deputy commissioners in other districts the authority to select one day for market activity weekly. The directive mandates strict enforcement, with deputy commissioners and Superintendents of Police required to submit an implementation report to the Home department. The move aligns with demands from indigenous youth groups for heightened market regulation and security.

(With inputs from agencies.)