ITANAGAR, 29 Aug: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday said frontier communities and security forces in strategically important areas must be accorded the highest priority, as it called for stronger infrastructure and adequate logistical support for troops in border areas.
APCC president Bosiram Siram made the remarks after completing a four-day visit to the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri, where he and other party leaders along with panchayat representatives interacted with local residents and security personnel.
"Those who speak about the frontier must also have the courage to reach the frontier, meet the people and understand the realities on the ground. Taksing is not a distant corner of India, it is the frontline of India," Siram said in a statement.
Siram also urged the Centre to facilitate a joint all-party parliamentary delegation to visit Taksing and other strategically important frontier areas.
He said such visits would strengthen democratic oversight and allow elected representatives to directly assess the ground situation, interact with frontier communities, security personnel and local authorities.
The APCC chief also called for uninterrupted supplies, equipment, communication facilities, accommodation, medical support and adequate manpower for troops deployed in difficult frontier areas.
Siram also advocated creation of an 'Arunachal Regiment', with substantial recruitment of indigenous tribal youth of the state.
"The people of Taksing are not living at the periphery of India. They are living at the frontline of India. If the nation expects them to stand firm on the frontier, it must stand firmly behind them," he added.
Our correspondent adds from Taksing: A delegation of the APCC, led by APCC president Bosiram Siram, visited Taksing and nearby areas in Upper Subansiri district to assess ground reports regarding the alleged intrusion of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the region.
The delegation, comprising executive members of the APCC and former home minister Tanga Byaling, interacted with local residents during the visit and sought firsthand information about the situation and reports of the alleged intrusion.
The team also held discussions with members of the local public to understand the developments on the ground and ascertain the facts surrounding the reported PLA presence in the area.
The visit comes amid reports concerning the alleged movement of PLA personnel into areas along Arunachal Pradesh' border with China. The Congress delegation said that its assessment was aimed at understanding the actual situation on the ground and listening to the concerns of people living in the border region.
During the interaction, local residents shared their observations and concerns with the visiting delegation. The APCC team emphasised the importance of keeping the people of border areas informed and ensuring that their concerns are appropriately addressed.
The delegation is expected to communicate its observations and findings to the appropriate authorities following the visit. (With PTI input)
