'Return Us Our Livelihood': Artists Rue Loss as Arunachal Violence Hits Maiden Film Festival news18.com

The state government's decision to give permanent resident status to two tribes from outside the state has kept Arunachal Pradesh on the boil since last week. After an agitated mob ransacked and burnt the private residence of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, the first International Film Festival in Itanagar had to bear the brunt of protesters' fury. Several vehicles parked outside the venue were set ablaze by the mob on Friday night. The stage, portable movie theatre, generator sets as well as musical instruments of the artists were also vandalised.