A r u n a c h a l Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Saturday held a marathon meeting with a group of protesters following the bandh call that has disrupted normal life in the state capital Itanagar since Friday.

The bandh was called by the “public” in protest against the BJP-led government’s handling of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leak case that took place in August and issues related to it.

The bandh had turned violent on Friday, leaving 10 persons, including four security personnel injured, leading to a ban on internet services till Sunday evening and prompting chief minister Khandu to invite the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC)-APPSC for talks.

The PAJSC, representing aspirants of government jobs, has been demanding the fulfilment of its 13-point charter of demands, including the complete overhauling of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, which carries out government recruitments, and the action against those involved in the paper leak case.

Thousands of protesters, including students, youth, parents and guardians and those supporting the demand for free and fair recruitment, had gathered on the streets of the Itanagar Capital Region throughout the day on Saturday.

Thousands were standing in front of the state secretariat at 10pm singing the national anthem and chanting Bharat mata ki jai while waiting to hear the final outcome.

There were roadblocks in the city and sights of tyres burning were a common sight. Security has been tightened in and around the capital city.