ITANAGAR, 11 Sep: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) and three Tagin organisations on Friday urged Governor KT Parnaik to take up with the Centre concerns over alleged increased activities by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in Taksing and Gelemo areas of Upper Subansiri district.
A delegation comprising representatives of the AAPSU, Tagin Cultural Society, All Upper Subansiri District Students' Union and All Tagin Youth Association met the governor at the Lok Bhavan here and submitted a five-point memorandum, seeking stronger security deployment, surveillance and connectivity in the frontier areas.
AAPSU president Meje Taku said the governor assured the delegation that the matter would be pursued with higher authorities in the Defence and Home Ministries, and with the prime minister.
"The governor has assured us that he will pursue the matter with the higher authorities in Defence, Home and the prime minister, and that no person will be harmed in Taksing," Taku said.
The AAPSU said that the governor assured of his commitment towards the safety and security of frontier residents and stressed the need for appropriate intervention, diplomatic engagement,and measures to strengthen border security and surveillance.
The concerns followed the AAPSU's four-day ground assessment in Taksing and Limeking circles from 13 to 16 August under its 'Taksing Chalo-Bharat Bachao' initiative.
The union claimed that it received field-level information about alleged PLA movement and construction of roads and military infrastructure at several locations, including Miba Chu, Sera-2/Assa Phila, Sera-3/Srila Top and Sera-4/Ojumuda-RK Point.
It also flagged alleged activities around the Gelemo sector, including near CP-V, CP-VI and CP-VII, besides Pokorla and Olo Nyodi.
The AAPSU, however, said the information gathered during its visit should be independently verified by competent security and administrative authorities.
The organisations said that frontier residents are facing difficulties accessing traditional hunting, cattle-grazing and yak-grazing grounds due to restrictions and reported PLA presence or movement.
In their memorandum, they sought enhanced Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police deployment, intensified patrolling, modern surveillance and communication systems, and stronger intelligence sharing.
They also demanded additional security posts, improved recruitment of Arunachal tribal youthsinto the Arunachal Scouts, and faster construction of strategic border roads, including the Taliha-Taksing and Nacho-Taksing/Gelemo routes.
The AAPSU also sought a fresh ground-level assessment, correction of alleged digital mapping discrepancies, and diplomatic engagement with China through appropriate channels over any verified incidents.
AAPSU general secretary Mato Bui said the union would intensify its voice if the government fails to act, saying that the emerging frontier concerns required "urgent, coordinated and sustained attention."
Guv emphasises commitment to safeguard borders
During the meeting with the delegates, the governor emphasised the unwavering commitment of the Government of India and the Indian armed forces to safeguard every inch of the nation's territory.
The governor assured the delegation that the interests and wellbeing of every village and citizen of Arunachal remain paramount. He emphasised that no village would be adversely affected, and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the government and the armed forces to safeguard the nation's territory.
"Security and development of the border areas are national priorities, and the people living in these frontier regions are the nation's first line of strength and resilience," Parnaik said.
Calling upon the student leaders to play a constructive role in nation-building, the governor advised them to champion social causes that directly impact the future of the state. He urged the AAPSU to intensify awareness and community outreach against the growing menace of drug abuse, support efforts to prevent crimes against children under the POCSO Act, and ensure that students complete their basic education.
Encouraging the youths of the state to acquire skills in emerging technologies, the governor stressed that the young generation of Arunachal possesses immense potential. "When empowered with the right values, education, and technological skills, they can lead the state towards greater progress and contribute meaningfully to the vision of a Viksit Arunachal and Viksit Bharat," he said.(With input from Lok Bhavan)
