RTI activists call Itanagar bandh

ITANAGAR, July 28 – The Arunachal RTI Activists Forum (ARTIAF) has called a 24-hour Itanagar bandh on July 29 demanding resignation of Health Minister Atum Welly and Chief Information Commissioner Y D Thongchi.

The Health Minister recently landed in a controversy after his son and daughter allegedly submitted fake educational certificates for government jobs while his three aides were arrested on the charge of plotting to murder an RTI activist who brought the matter to light.

The forum had called a 12-hour bandh on July 14 demanding resignation of Welly and Thongchi.

His son Akung and daughter Anung allegedly produced fake documents to secure the posts of Inspector (Tax and Excise) and Social and Cultural Organiser respectively in the State Government.

The duo had submitted certificates that they had passed from colleges under Gauhati University. But Payi Gyadi of the NGO, Sango Lamte Foundation, filed an RTI with the Gauhati University which said they did not pass out from those colleges.

On June 6, the police arrested three supporters of Welly for planting a bomb in Gyadi’s car.

Meanwhile, Itanagar SP Chuku Apa, who probed the bomb planting case, was shifted to Delhi. Apa, however, said his transfer was routine.

The ARTIAF also demanded resignation of Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin on moral grounds charging him of shielding Welly and Thongchi, who were relatives. Besides, it has also demanded that Welly’s son and daughter be arrested.