Dibrugarh, Oct. 24: Tension persisted in the Namsai subdivision of Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh following clashes between tribals and non-tribals yesterday over demand for permanent residential certificates by the non-tribals.

Lohit district deputy commissioner R.K. Sarma said over telephone from Namsai that additional central forces had been deployed in vulnerable locations.

“Arunachal Pradesh Police Battalion and India Reserve Battalion jawans, too, are keeping a strict vigil on the situation,” Sarma said.

He said the army had been conducting area domination operations in villages and interior parts of the district at the request of the Lohit district administration to ensure that there was no more trouble. The administration has also issued prohibitory orders in Namsai and Mahadevpur police station areas under Section 144 CrPC and has banned assembly of four or more persons at a place and carrying of any sort of arms or ammunition.

There have been reports of huts of non-tribals being burnt in some interior areas in Piyong circle of Namsai.

Priyadhar K. Deori, a member of the Lohit-Changlang Development Forum, said a group of armed non-tribals attacked and vandalised the residence of Gunin Gogoi, convener of the forum at Namsai.

“The group even looted cash and ornaments after vandalising the entire house,” Deori said while appealing for restraint and peace from all.

“It seems some elements spread misinformation among the tribals. They were told their existence would be at stake if non-tribals were given permanent residential certificates. The government will have to take some pro-active steps to settle the issue amicably,” Surajit Moran, general secretary of Tinsukia district unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, said.

The forum has decided to stage demonstrations in all important government offices in Lohit and Changlang from 11am on Tuesday, which will be followed by a 12-hour bandh in the two districts on Friday.

The forum said it would continue with its agitation demanding permanent residential certificates for the non-tribals of the two districts of Lohit and Changlang.

This demand has been strongly opposed by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union and Tai Khampti Students’ Union.