Members of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) observed an eight-hour-long hunger strike to protest against the implementation of the APFRA, 1978. The law seeks to ban conversions from one religion to another by force, inducement, or fraudulent act. Some legislators belonging to the Christian community also participated in the hunger strike organised by the ACF from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. The ACF had earlier said that they are planning to gherao the state Assembly on March 6, when the Act is likely to be discussed in the house. The state government is ready to hold discussions on the issue and reassured that the proposed rules under the Act are not against any religious community. The Act was reportedly enacted in response to concerns about the perceived threat to indigenous religions in the state. Successive governments, however, chose to sideline the Act and it has been dormant until now. It was passed in 1978 by the erstwhile Janata Party-led government headed by then Chief Minister P.K. Thungon.
