Indian lawmaker says strategic Arunachal deserves Delhi sops

New Delhi, Mar 13 (ANI): Rebuffing China's repeated claim on Arunachal Pradesh's territory, Indian lawmaker Takam Sanjoy said that the state is integral and inalienable part of the country, and has a strategic importance.

Recently, India conveyed to China that there should be no discrimination against visa applicants of Indian nationality on grounds of domicile and ethnicity, as the Chinese Government decided to issue stapled visas to people of Arunachal Pradesh.

China disputes the international boundary with India in the Eastern sector and claims approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in the Arunachal Pradesh.he Member of Parliament from Arunachal West Constituency said numerous development projects are going on and many more are expected in the sensitive and strategic state, which deserves New Delhi's dispensation in nation's security interest.

Addressing the state's 25-year Statehood Day celebration at Arunachal House in New Delhi on Sunday evening, Sanjoy further said that Arunchalees are true Indians and would not allow any outside force to interfere in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh was administered by the External Affairs Ministry till 1965, became a union territory in 1972 and attained statehood in 1987 without any agitation.

"Though the grassroots level democracy had begun in 1967 on the recommendations of Daying Ering committee, but state's development revolution began only after the PM's 2008 announcement of a huge package at the initiative of Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu," Sanjoy said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said that treasure trove Arunachal Pradesh is part of India and there is no doubt about it.

"I am a friend of the state. I sincerely hope that like the sun, Arunachal Pradesh will rise from the east as a new star and become one of the best regions of our country," he said

Sahai, who had visited Itanagar in May last, highlighted Tourism Ministry's initiative to promote the rich cultural heritage of the North East through 'Incredible India' campaign and assured all possible help of his ministry to realize state's huge tourism potential.

State MPs Mukut Mithi and Ninong Ering, Ministers Nabam Tuki (PWD) and Bosiram Siram (Education), and Arunchalee students were present on the occasion. (ANI)