Itanagar, Feb 17: As many as 10 people were injured after a clash broke out between bandh supporters and police in Arunachal Pradesh’s Itanagar on Friday.

The bandh supporters are protesting against the oath taking ceremony of the designated chairman and members of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).

The Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) had called a bandh on Friday in protest against the oath taking ceremony.

The government has shut down internet in Itanagar and prohibitory orders were clamped to control the situation.

On Monday, the PAJSC alleged that the state government has a hidden agenda in appointing Shantanu Dayal, a retired Lieutenant General, as chairman of APPSC.

Dayal is already 61-years-old and is left with only one year as chairman. The Commission mandates 62 as the retirement age.

Meanwhile, police had to resort to lathi charge and fire gas shells to control the protesters.

“Our intention was only to overhaul the Commission and give reprieve to innocent aspirants who unfortunately became victims of the paper leakage scam. With that intention we gave advertisement for filling up the posts of chairman and members of the commission and followed it up with the laid down norms for formation of a commission and make it functional as soon as possible. We believed that formation of the Commission by swearing in of the new chairman and members would be for public good as it would pave the way for conduction of examinations and offer aspirants a fair opportunity without wasting much time,” stated Chief minister Pema Khandu.

Khandu appealed to all agitating youths and the general public to understand the situation and maintain peace.

“We are more than concerned about the unfortunate paper leakage and determined to revive and rejuvenate the APPSC. We have no other intention but to provide free, fair and equal opportunities to our youths through the Commission,” he added.