Crisis in Gamlin-led Arunachal Pradesh government seems imminent

New Delhi, Aug 26(ANI): Knowing fully well the havoc created due to floods and heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, and despite the anticipation of more mayhem in the current monsoon season, state Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin has reportedly allowed six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), headed by Mechuka MLA Pasang Dorjee Sona, to go on a foreign trip to Thailand.

The other five MLAs reportedly include Jarakar Gamlin, T. Taiju, P. Khimyun, Likha Saaya and T. Wangham.

According to sources, the MLAs left despite the Congress high command ordering Gamlin to stop them from going on the foreign trip, which may have a direct or indirect impact on his leadership.

It is reliably learnt that there is mounting pressure on few of these MLAs by Gamlin in the wake of a strong group alleging his "direct or indirect involvement" in communal overdose over the recent 'Pradeep Thakur' controversy.

Sources said that Gamlin and some of his close family members are under mental agony due to questions over a "no action or inquiry" carried out after "derogatory remark" about the Nyishi tribe appeared in an article on the web portal of a leading newspaper of the country on May 4.

The article had said that Nabam Tuki, who was a frontrunner in the race for the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister's post after the death of Dorjee Khandu, belonged to the "Nyishi tribe, which doesn't enjoyed a good rapport among other tribes".

Nyishi is reported to be the second largest Tani tribe after the Mishings, and the largest single tribe in Arunachal Pradesh with a population of over three lacs.

Sources have also claimed that there is clear evidence of Arunachal Press Club (APC) President Jarpum Gamlin having telephonic dialogue and conversation with Pradeep Thakur, the journalist who is credited to have written the article, before the All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) and other organisations demanded official investigations into the "serious criminal conspiracy implicating the Nyishi tribe".

It is learnt that the members of the Nyishi tribe have now realised that by making mounting allegations on their tribe, Jarpum wanted to "supplement emotion created by Khandu's death and consolidate the election of the present Chief Minister".

Jarpum has, however, said that he never knew or contacted Thakur.

The series of this "communal conspiracy" has been brought to the full knowledge of the Congress high command, sources informed.

A senior leader of the Arunachal Pradesh state Congress party, who wished to remain anonymous, further said that anyone trying to divide Arunachalee society in the name of caste, creed, religion or ethnicity should not find a place in running the hotseat of the state's governance.

Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad chairperson Likha Tongum had claimed that as no logical conclusion had been reached by official committees formed by the state government to look into the controversy, it clearly indicated that Gamlin and his family members' were involved.

Tongum had also called for Gamlin's resignation if the investigations reveal his direct involvement or linkage.

"It was on May 13 that All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) submitted memorandum to the State Governor and the State Government demanding immediate enquiry and action against persons involved in the episode of Times of India journalist Pradeep Thakur. The organization led phases of democratic movement demanding action against persons involved in the conspiracy case," a statement released by the office of the Arunachal Pradesh Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad had said.

"Moreover, a committee to unearth the truth was formed under the convenorship of Minister of Health and Family Welfare and RWD Attum Welly. In an extra ordinary case the State Government again formed a high level committee headed by state Home Minister Takar Marde. What did these committees do? Did they investigate the serious case? If so, where are the reports or where are the results?"

"Considering 'no action and no inquiry', but official committee after committee has absolutely led no logical conclusion, it clearly indicates the involvement of Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin and his close family members.

Incase the truth reveals the direct involvement and linkage of the Chief Minister and his family members, he should own moral responsibility and resign forthwith," it added.

The ANSU had earlier lodged a FIR with Arunachal Pradesh Director General of Police demanding the arrest of Pradeep Thakur for "making communally flaring up statement with the intention of dividing the state on communal line".

The union had also claimed that the remarks that "Nyishi tribe doesn't enjoy good rapport amongst other tribes" had tarnished the image and reputation of the Nyishi tribe and the sentiment of the community had been irreparably hurt by otherwise avoidable and hurting comment.

Thakur is also accused of trying to divide the people of Arunachal Pradesh on communal lines, thereby inciting communal disharmony. (ANI)