Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Forum (AFTF) has announced that it will stage a peaceful protest rally on July 11, reiterating its demand for the scrapping of the existing 80:20 reservation ratio in the state’s recruitment system and the introduction of stricter eligibility norms for examinations conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB).
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Friday, AFTF chairman Tadak Nalo alleged that the state government, particularly Chief Minister Pema Khandu, had shown little concern in resolving the issue. He claimed that despite more than a month having passed since the demand was raised, the government had yet to address the matter.
He informed the rally will be held from 10 am to 4 pm, proceeding from Akashdeep to IG Park in Itanagar. He appealed to people from all sections of society to participate in the protest and extend support to the forum’s demand.
“The movement seeks to protect employment opportunities for the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh and ensure that recruitment policies give priority to local tribal candidates,” Nalo said. He also urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu to treat the issue with urgency and resolve it before the APPSC examinations scheduled for September this year.
Stressing on the demands, Nalo highlighted that several northeastern states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Assam, and Nagaland already have stringent eligibility conditions for recruitment examinations, including domicile certificates, indigenous inhabitant certificates, and local language requirements, thereby restricting participation of non-residents.
Nalo argued that Arunachal Pradesh, being a sensitive tribal state with a fragile demographic structure, should adopt similar safeguards to protect the interests of indigenous communities. He claimed that the unemployment rate among indigenous youths in the state has risen sharply and that unrestricted participation by outsiders in recruitment examinations could adversely affect the socio-cultural, economic, and political fabric of the state.
Nalo further stated that when the 80:20 ratio was introduced in 1990, literacy levels in Arunachal Pradesh were comparatively low and there were limited qualified APST candidates available for recruitment. However, they asserted that the situation has changed significantly over the years, with increasing numbers of educated indigenous youths now competing for government jobs.
Nalo alleged that around 35,000 non-APST candidates out of approximately 53,000 applicants appeared in the written examination for the Special Recruitment Drive for Uniformed Services conducted by the APSSB on 14 June 2026. He further claimed that these candidates were allowed to appear in the examination without obtaining valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs), allegedly using only their examination admit cards.
He informed that the forum had subsequently held meetings with Home Minister Mama Natung, the Home Commissioner and the APSSB chairman over the issue. However, no action has been initiated against the non-APST candidates who allegedly appeared for the examination without valid ILPs.
Nalo further stated that the AFTF had served a 30-day ultimatum to the state government on 29 May 2026, demanding the immediate abolition of the existing 80:20 reservation ratio and the implementation of stricter eligibility criteria for APPSC and APSSB recruitment examinations. As the ultimatum has expired without any response from the government, the forum has decided to launch a democratic protest to press the government to address its demands.
