Memorable Headlines from 2019

It’s the end of the year and we take a look back at some of the most memorable headlines that sparked debates and conversations across the region

It is irrefutable that 2019 has been an eventful year for Northeast India. There were one too many shocking and interesting events that managed to keep the people intrigued. In fact, many such news, good and bad, still remain in public memory and pop up during dinner table conversations.

NRC Left Out 2 Million People

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) list in Assam was published after years of documentation on 31 August, 2019. The final list left out 19 lakh people from the final list, while over 3.11 crore persons were included. The final list was produced under continuous monitoring by the Supreme Court.

The NRC exercise was meant to root out illegal immigrants who have come to the State after 31 March, 1971. As per the guidelines issued by the Central government, excluded persons were asked to approach one of the 400 foreigners’ tribunals and appeal against their exclusions within 120 days of the publication of the final list.

Arunachal Film Festival Under Attack

The first-ever Itanagar International Film Festival incurred heavy loss due to vandalism. Eighteen local organisations in the State declared a 48-hour shutdown protesting against State government’s move to grant Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts. Protesters burned down the pandal; and more than 50 filmmakers, artists and technicians remained stuck inside the festival venue at Itanagar as protesters vandalized the venue and vehicles in the parking lot. The Arunachal Pradesh government was forced to postpone the three-day-long film festival.