A 12-hour bandh called by the Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK) along with eight youth and student organisations was observed peacefully across Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district on October 7, with the groups protesting the Education Department’s ongoing teacher transfer and rationalisation exercise.
The organisations have demanded the cancellation of the proposed transfer of 63 teachers from the district, the filling of 69 vacant teaching posts and at least 30 days to complete the intra-district rationalisation process.
The bandh was observed from 5 am to 5 pm. Essential services, medical emergencies and students appearing for examinations were kept outside the scope of the shutdown.
The organisations have also demanded additional sanctioned teaching posts at IGJ Higher Secondary School in Pasighat, D Ering Memorial Government Higher Secondary School in Pasighat and Government Higher Secondary School in Mebo. They said large-scale transfers without adequate replacement could further reduce the available teaching strength and affect students.
The joint front had earlier deferred the bandh after receiving an invitation for talks. However, the organisations later reinstated the shutdown, stating that their concerns had not been resolved.
The groups have argued that East Siang is already facing a shortage of teachers and that transferring 63 teachers without properly assessing school-wise and subject-wise requirements could worsen the situation. They have particularly highlighted staffing concerns at IGJ Higher Secondary School and D Ering Memorial Government Higher Secondary School in Pasighat.
Apart from opposing the proposed transfers, the organisations have sought protection for teachers who have not completed the prescribed minimum three-year tenure. They have also called for genuine medical conditions, pregnancy-related circumstances and other compelling reasons to be taken into account while carrying out the transfer and rationalisation exercise.
The organisations said their objections were primarily aimed at ensuring that schools in the district have adequate teaching staff and that the academic interests of students are not affected by the ongoing exercise.
BBYK president Advocate Magyar Lego said the participating organisations would hold an emergency meeting following the bandh to assess the developments and decide on their next course of action.
The peaceful conduct of the bandh meant that there were no major disruptions reported during the shutdown, while the organisations reiterated their demand for a review of the proposed teacher transfers and measures to address the shortage of teaching staff in East Siang.