Itanagar: A nativist youth group in Arunachal Pradesh has launched a campaign targeting mosques and Muslim communities in the Itanagar Capital Region. The actions have triggered fear among worshippers and raised concerns over selective harassment.
Members of the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organization arrived at the Itanagar Jama Masjid on November 22. The mosque dates back to 1979 and stands on land donated by a tribal resident. The group demanded documents to prove legal status. Mosque officials refused and reported verbal abuse and physical assault. One official said attackers used the slur Bangladeshi and assaulted a caretaker. Written complaints have reached police authorities.
The group also visited Capital Jama Masjid in Naharlagun on November 15. Staff members reported intimidation lasting over an hour. Police presence failed to stop the confrontation. Mosque committee members said the group vandalised the ablution area and damaged taps. Authorities sealed the mosque five days later, citing lack of construction permits.
Since October, the organization has conducted repeated visits to mosques in Itanagar and Naharlagun. Leaders demanded documents, forced slogans, and threatened closure. Many actions streamed on social media. A bandh call on December 9 led to shutdowns across both towns. Two of eight mosques in the region now remain sealed.
According to the 2011 Census, Muslims form 1.95 percent of Arunachal Pradesh’s population. Community representatives said local residents donated land for mosques. They said permit gaps exist in some cases. They pointed to many temples and churches built without approval.
Police officials linked rising tensions to eviction drives in Assam and fears over migrant workers. Senior officers said no illegal migrants surfaced during checks this year. Authorities detected 8,936 Inner Line Permit violations since January. Officials externed 7,351 individuals.
Muslim leaders have sought action from the state government. They warned targeted actions risk communal stability in a state with strict entry laws.
