Election disruptions at Arunachal college raises concerns over campus safety and governance

By Neha Desai*

In the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, where education should be a beacon of hope for the state’s youth, Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) in Itanagar has been reduced to a gladiatorial arena. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)—ostensibly a body meant to champion student welfare, rights, and academic excellence—has instead turned its 2026 general elections into a protracted saga of delays, disqualifications, and violence.

What was billed as a democratic exercise has devolved into a scramble for fame, influence, and the “fortune” that comes with union leadership in a politically charged state.

The timeline underscores the dysfunction. After the previous AAPSU executive’s term ended in December 2025, an ordinance mandated that the 27th General Conference-cum-Election be completed by February 20, 2026. Yet, by late March, the process was still ongoing. An initial notification scheduled polls for February 17–23 at DNGC’s Jubilee Hall. Classes were suspended, seminars cancelled, and hostels shut in anticipation, only for the process to be postponed. A revised schedule for March 20–26 followed a similar pattern, but this time violence broke out. Supporters of candidates whose nominations were rejected clashed with police and election committee volunteers on March 24 and again the following morning. Tear gas was used, the college gate was locked, and staff and students were either confined inside or left stranded outside, with reports of shortages of essential supplies and concerns over medical emergencies.

This was not without warning. DNGC authorities had advised against hosting the event. In a February 6 letter to the Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner, the college principal and the DNGC Students’ Union general secretary urged that permission be denied, citing past elections that had already disrupted academic schedules. Their concerns were not acted upon. As a result, a key government college campus now resembles a conflict site rather than an academic institution. Faculty members have reported disruptions to basic services, with some seeking accommodation outside the campus while others remained inside amid uncertainty.

The episode also highlights deeper concerns within student politics. The election process has been marked by prolonged disputes over nominations, scrutiny, and objections, leading to repeated delays. Allegations of inducements and questions over the functioning of the election process have surfaced from competing groups. Rejected candidates and their supporters have responded with protests and confrontations, while earlier incidents, including clashes near the AAPSU office in the preceding months, had already indicated rising tensions. Administrative measures such as traffic advisories, police deployment, and venue changes have become routine.

Student unions are expected to represent academic concerns such as infrastructure, scholarships, transparency, and the quality of education. However, the current situation suggests that leadership contests are increasingly seen as pathways to broader political visibility and influence. The immediate impact has been on students, with classes disrupted, examinations affected, and campus safety compromised.

Responsibility for the situation is shared across multiple stakeholders. The election authorities, district administration, and state government have faced criticism for allowing a sensitive venue to be repeatedly used despite warnings and prior disruptions. There have also been calls from sections of civil society and academic communities for greater accountability, including the consideration of neutral venues, clearer codes of conduct, and stricter enforcement of rules to prevent prolonged disputes.

AAPSU has historically played an important role in representing student aspirations in Arunachal Pradesh. The current developments, however, raise questions about its ability to conduct internal processes in a manner consistent with academic priorities. With normalcy yet to be fully restored, attention remains on whether corrective measures will be taken to ensure that institutional functioning and student welfare are not further affected.

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*Independent writer

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