Arunachal Guv Cites ‘Cow Slaughter’ Protest to Justify Prez’s Rule

Governor of Arunachal cited cow slaughter protest as a sign of collapsing law and order to justify Prez rule to SC.

Speaker Nabam Rebia being “voted out” by 33 legislators and dissident Congressman was “elected” chief minister. (Photo: PTI)

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa cited a “cow slaughter” protest as a sign of the complete collapse of law and order to justify the imposition of President’s rule in the state, reports The Indian Express.

Also read: Congress Meets President Over Arunachal Pradesh Governor Row

Claiming a breakdown of the constitutional machinery, Rajkhowa also attached photographs of a “cow” called Mithun being slaughtered outside Raj Bhavan as material to justify the proclamation of an emergency. This was disclosed on Wednesday, January 27, by the Governor’s counsel, Satya Pal Jain, in the Supreme Court.

The apex court had asked the Central government and Rajkhowa to adduce all relevant materials showing good reasons for imposition of President’s rule in the state, and observed that the “matter is too serious”.

Also read:
Arunachal Crisis: SC Sends Notice to Centre on President’s Rule
How Delhi Shot Itself in the Foot in Arunachal Pradesh

What Exactly Happened

The BJP, the Opposition party in the state, and rebel Congress MLAs on 17 December got together in a local hotel to “vote out” the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh and to “elect” a rebel Congress MLA as the new “chief minister”.

The dramatic development came a day after they “impeached” Speaker Nabam Rebia in a community hall, the makeshift premises of the “Assembly”.

The resolution was signed with the consent of 33 members, including 20 rebel Congress MLAs, 11 from the BJP and two independents. The vote was boycotted by supporters of Tuki.

Also read: Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Impeached

Twenty-seven members of the House, including Tuki, his ministerial colleagues and 16 Congress MLAs abstained from the proceedings chaired by Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, held at the community hall, after the district administration ‘sealed’ the Assembly Secretariat Complex apprehending law and order problem.

Also read: Constitutional and Political Crisis Deepens in Arunachal