New Delhi: Protests have intensified in Arunachal Pradesh with civil society groups demanding that Chief Minister Pema Khandu step aside while a corruption probe against him is underway. The demonstrations, led by the Arunachal Civil Society, follow a directive by the Supreme Court of India ordering a preliminary inquiry into the matter.
The court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to examine allegations related to public works contracts reportedly linked to the chief minister’s family over the past decade. The order triggered protests across parts of the state, with demonstrators calling for greater transparency during the investigation.
Protesters have stressed that their demand is not a judgment of guilt but a step to ensure fairness. They argue that individuals holding high office should distance themselves from ongoing investigations to prevent any perceived influence. According to them, such a move would strengthen public confidence in the process.
Leaders of the civil society group have maintained that the protests are not politically driven but are rooted in the principles of accountability and due process. They have also stated that if the inquiry finds no wrongdoing, the chief minister should continue in office without question.
Responding to the allegations, Khandu has firmly denied any involvement and rejected claims of corruption. He has expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation and welcomed the court’s decision to initiate a preliminary inquiry.
The situation has placed the state’s political environment under close scrutiny, as the outcome of the probe and the chief minister’s response in the coming days are likely to shape the course of governance and public trust in the region.
