Editor,

The recent flash floods have devastated several parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Among the worst-affected areas are Possa village and the NEEPCO Colony in Keyi Panyor district, Zirdo, Jime and Ichi villages in Dari circle of Leparada district, and the entire Upper Ramle Banggo circle of Lower Siang district.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, accompanied by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and other senior leaders and government officials, visited Possa village and the NEEPCO Colony to assess the damages and interact with the affected families. Similarly, a six-member inter-ministerial central team visited Upper Ramle Banggo circle of Lower Siang district and parts of East Siang district on 8 July to inspect the flood-affected areas.

However, as has happened on many occasions in the past, Zirdo, Jime and Ichi villages in Dari circle of Leparada district have been completely overlooked. Neither any state or central dignitary has visited these villages, nor has their plight received any meaningful attention on official social media platforms. For decades, since the 1970s, this region has continued to face neglect. One cannot help but ask: why has this particular area been subjected to such persistent indifference?

Equally surprising is the silence of the district information and public relations office (DIPRO), Leparada district. Despite the scale of destruction caused by the flash floods, there has been little or no official reporting in newspapers or on social media regarding the suffering of the people of Dari circle. During such a major natural calamity, the role of the Information and Public Relations Department is to ensure that the situation reaches the notice of the government and the public. Its silence raises serious concerns.

The people of the affected villages sincerely appreciate the timely efforts of Basar MLA Nyabi Jini Dirchi, and Dari ZPM Karnya Bam Chiram for restoring vehicular movement on the Ego-Zirdo road. However, the road has only been made barely motorable and remains in poor condition. The road connecting Jime and Ichi villages is yet to be fully restored.

Enough is enough. The people of Dari circle strongly condemn the continued step-motherly treatment meted out to the region by both the state and central governments. We demand immediate restoration of the roads leading to Jime and Ichi villages, comprehensive renovation and strengthening of the Ego-Zirdo-Pasighat road, and equal attention to the plight of the flood-affected people of Dari circle. Every citizen deserves equal concern and support, irrespective of where they live.

Gonya Riba