Police, protesters clash in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR: Police arrested over 300 Congress workers - 100 in Itanagar and 200 in other districts - and put them in preventive detention after the party workers resorted to stone-pelting and burning tyres to enforce the Bharat bandh on Monday. Among those arrested in Itanagar were Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) secretary, John Taksingn, Youth Congress president, Geli Ete, and Mahila Congress workers.
General secretary of the women's wing of Congress, Jarjum Ete, alleged that Itanagar SP M Harsh Vardhan had directed abusive language at several Mahila Congress workers. Vardhan, however, denied this allegation and said he had repeatedly requested the Congress workers to disperse but they kept shouting slogans and created a law and order problem. "Congress workers resorted to stone-pelting and burnt tyres at different places across Itanagar. The Congress is a responsible party and such activities are not expected from its workers," he added.
Talking to reporters, APCC president Takam Sanjoy said, "We have complained to the DGP against SP Vardhan as he used filthy language against our Mahila Congress cadres. We have given the state government a 48-hour ultimatum to take disciplinary action against the SP. We also want a public aplogy from him. Unless that happens, we will launch a rigorous agitation."
Sanjoy also said the bandh has been "peaceful and successful", claiming that people had voluntarily extended their support to the protest. Most offices, educational institutions and business establishments remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads on Monday.
Fuel prices touched a new record high on Monday. Congress has been demanding that petrol and diesel be brought under the GST after which fuel prices could drop by at least Rs 15 per litre.