Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan (ASTBA) on Sunday announced that it will launch an online petition seeking public opinions and suggestions for the proper framing and implementation of rules related to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system for non-APST individuals entering Arunachal Pradesh.

The online petition will be conducted through the organisation’s official social media platforms, particularly Facebook, from 5 PM on May 17 till May 20.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, ASTBA General Secretary Millo Ambo said that after completion of the public petition, a combined memorandum containing the public responses and the organisation’s demands would be submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office on May 21.

He said that after submission of the memorandum, the association would serve a four-day ultimatum to the state government, seeking a meeting with Chief Minister Pema Khandu to discuss the ILP issue and the demands raised by the organisation, while also demanding that the meeting be telecast live.

Ambo informed that the organisation has rejected the invitation extended by Home Minister Mama Natung for a round-table meeting scheduled on May 18. He stated that the association specifically wants to hold discussions with the Chief Minister regarding the ILP issue and other related demands.

Among its key demands, the association has called for reverification or reapplication of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates for all people settled in Arunachal Pradesh to identify Tibetan refugees and alleged illegal immigrants residing in the state.

The organisation has also sought corrections in the recently issued “Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guidelines, 2026,” alleging that certain provisions are in violation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, and may adversely affect the interests of indigenous communities in the state.