The shutdown will hit Id in the capital region of Arunachal

A 24-hour shutdown forced Muslims in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital region to spend Id indoors on Thursday. (May 28, 2026).

Their counterparts elsewhere in the state and the region beyond, particularly Assam, observed the festival largely without sacrificing cows, following calls from Muslim leaders and organizations to respect the sentiments of Hindus and followers of other faiths.

The Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Youth Organization (APIYO) called a shutdown from 5:00 a.m. on May 28 to 5:00 a.m. on May 29 to protest the government’s alleged inaction against illegal structures, including mosques, and undocumented migrants, mostly perceived as Bangladeshi nationals.

The shutdown, which coincided with the sacrifice festival, affected normal life in the capital region comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun and other urban centres.

“Illegal shutdown”

Local authorities, citing Supreme Court directives, said the shutdown was illegal under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. They said several people associated with the shutdown were detained as a precautionary measure.

People across the state criticized the shutdown on Id, a public holiday, saying it indirectly targeted Muslims.

APIYO president Taro Sonam Liyak denied targeting any religious community and insisted the organization had been campaigning against the illegal migrant problem since 2023 to protect the demographic interests of the indigenous population.

“We have been asking the government to identify and deport alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants. We have also questioned the legality of mosques and madrasas in certain areas. The government’s inaction has made us call for a shutdown,” he told reporters.

Earlier, State Deputy Inspector General of Police Tumme Amo appealed to the people to reject the “bandh culture” and resume normal activities under police protection.

However, police said there was no violence during the shutdown.

According to the 2011 census, Muslims constitute less than 2% of the total population in Arunachal Pradesh. Many of them live in the capital region.

Published – 28 May 2026 20:02 IST