ZIRO: The agitation against illegal intruders, including Bangladeshi-origin Muslims and Islamists from different parts of India, and the setting up of illegal religious structures like mosques and madrassas by indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh, is at its peak. Several indigenous organisations have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal settlers in the state and have even called a 24-hour Arunachal bandh to put pressure on the state government to take immediate action against the illegal immigrants.
The Lower Subansiri district administration vacated the Pariami Masjid on 20th January during a 24-hour bandh called by the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan, intensifying protests against two alleged illegal mosque structures in Ziro.
The bandh targeted unauthorised constructions at Suluya and Pariami. The organisation demanded their immediate demolition, including the removal of an Islamic pillar inside the Pariami mosque, and set a January 30 deadline. It warned of further action if it was not met.
In response, the Arunachal Pradesh government ordered the unlocking of the Suluya mosque—sealed on December 29, 2025, after a complaint from ST Bachao Andolan—for demolition by the landowner, Rubu Tapa, at his own cost. The directive followed a January 19 request from the Old Ziro Market Welfare Committee.
SDO Hage Tarung, acting as in-charge Deputy Commissioner, issued the order to Circle Officer Ms Mide Bage for immediate execution. Copies were sent to the Superintendent of Police, the Town Magistrate, Ziro Police Station, ST Bachao Andolan, and other authorities.
In a related development underscoring Arunachal Pradesh’s focus on security, Governor KT Parnaik instructed the newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP), Shiv Darshan Singh Jamwal, on Friday to implement strong measures against illegal immigration. Parnaik highlighted its grave threat to social harmony and internal security, aligning with ongoing local concerns about unauthorised structures and demographic shifts in districts such as Lower Subansiri.
The developments highlight escalating tensions over unauthorised religious structures in the district.
On December 27, in a massive rally in the capital city, Itanagar, several organisations demanded the removal of illegal Bangladeshi “Miya-Muslim” settlers and the cancellation of their Inner Line Permits (ILPs) in the state. Organised by the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal Pradesh (IYFA) and Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), protesters chanted “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” with leaders warning immigrants they have “no place” in the state and declaring that Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast “can never be a part of Bangladesh.”
