Nyishi bodies launch indefinite economic blockade at Bhalukpong, Nichipu

Two Nyishi community organisations began an indefinite economic blockade in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, November 11, enforcing it mainly at the Bhalukpong and Nichipu check gates in West Kameng district.

The All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) and the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) jointly called the blockade after an ultimatum they had served on the state government ran out, India Today NE reported. Their main demand is the immediate arrest of people allegedly involved in repeated attacks on members of the Nyishi community.

Why the groups are protesting

The two organisations have accused local police of failing to stop the alleged clashes, which they link to continuing tension between the Aka and Nyishi communities. According to the report, the groups went ahead with the blockade because their charter of demands had not been addressed by the authorities.

There are reports that protests and other forms of agitation have also spread to other areas, including Upper Subansiri district.

NEInsider has not been able to independently confirm the details of the alleged attacks. Neither the state government nor the police had publicly responded to the blockade call at the time of writing.

Why Bhalukpong and Nichipu matter

Bhalukpong, on the Assam-Arunachal border, is one of the main road entry points into the state and the gateway to the route towards Bomdila and Tawang. Nichipu lies further up the same corridor in West Kameng. A blockade at these two points is likely to hold up vehicles and the movement of goods into western Arunachal Pradesh.

Travellers and transporters planning to use the Bhalukpong route should check the situation with local authorities before setting out.

Tension at the border check gate

The blockade comes two days after tension flared at the Bhalukpong check gate. On the night of November 9, a man from Bhalukpong on the Assam side was allegedly assaulted by a man from Arunachal Pradesh amid the ongoing dispute between the two communities in the state, The Sentinel reported.

Crowds then gathered on both sides of the check gate, with members of the Bodo community on the Assam side and members of the Nyishi community, including ANSU and ANYA representatives, on the Arunachal side. People on the Assam side blocked the road for several hours before police from both states stepped in and the parties held talks. The blockade was lifted and traffic resumed, but residents said tension lingered and urged police on both sides to stay alert.

NEInsider will update this story with the state government's response and the impact of the blockade on traffic and supplies.