Itanagar, March 15, 2026:
An altercation broke out on Sunday at a weekly market in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) between police personnel and local vendors following the enforcement of a government order restricting market operations.
According to reports, police officials were implementing an order dated March 6 issued by the Commissioner (Home), which permits weekly markets in ICR to operate only on Saturdays while directing them to remain closed on all other days. When authorities attempted to enforce the directive on Sunday, tensions escalated as several vendors resisted the move.
Many local vendors expressed concern that the restriction could seriously impact their livelihood, stating that numerous families rely on weekly markets as a primary source of income and daily sustenance.
The order reportedly follows a representation submitted by various organisations, including APIYO, which has been actively raising concerns over the growing presence of illegal immigrants and the proliferation of unauthorized religious structures in the state.
Meanwhile, social activist Tana Tamar has strongly opposed the order, stating that while the government may intend to regulate the participation of outsiders entering Arunachal Pradesh without proper documentation or through illegal means, the restriction is disproportionately affecting indigenous vendors who depend on the markets for their survival.
Tamar urged indigenous weekly market vendors across ICR to remain united and collectively raise their concerns through lawful and democratic means. He also appealed to the state government to review the March 6 order and adopt a more practical and inclusive approach that safeguards the livelihood of indigenous communities dependent on weekly markets.
Earlier, weekly markets were conducted almost daily at different locations across the ICR on a rotational basis. However, since the order was issued last week, authorities have faced difficulties in implementing the restriction as many local vendors have strongly opposed it. With the situation continuing to draw reactions from both vendors and civil society groups, it now remains for the government to decide whether to continue enforcing the order or review it in a manner that is more accommodating to local and indigenous communities.
