Overview
- Protesters from community groups, student unions and NGOs began an indefinite bandh in Lekang circle on Friday that blocked Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate and disrupted daily life.
- The strike targets a state cabinet order to make permanent residence, APST or indigenous status and tribal language proficiency mandatory for Group A, B and C recruitments.
- Organisers say the new criteria would exclude long‑standing non‑APST residents who hold valid domicile or resident certificates and who rely on the current 80:20 reservation split for job access.
- Police and paramilitary units have been deployed to patrol the area and local officials arranged talks between Lekang MLA Likha Soni, Namsai Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering and protest leaders to seek a settlement.
- Protest leaders have asked the chief minister and the Joint High‑Powered Committee to verify historical domicile records and warned that the dispute could prompt court challenges that would affect the state’s reservation framework.