New Delhi: Over 100 activists of a prominent
students body from Arunachal Pradesh were detained on Wednesday when they tried to stage a protest outside the Chinese embassy here
against China's claim over the state and demanded better
infrastructure and fencing along the border.
"We are very angry at the Chinese claim. That is why we
have come all the way from Arunachal Pradesh to protest it,"
General Secretary of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union
(AAPSU) Toujum Poyum said.
The activists, protesting against China's claim over the
state and the reported construction of a dam across the
Brahmaputra river, said the Centre's response to China's
aggressive posturing towards the state was "lukewarm".
AAPSU also criticised the Centre for lack of roads and
airports in the "strategically important state" and said it
must have matching infrastructure to foil any possible Chinese
offensive.
"The state despite its immense strategic importance has
very little infrastructure. The road connectivity is abysmally
poor. We still do not have an airport," AAPSU President Takam
Tatung said here.
Demanding fencing along the border, he said the
Government must erect fencing as Chinese forces have made
several incursions into the state in the recent months.
"The people are living in fear and anxiety. The
Government must take steps to ally their apprehension," he
said, adding better infrastructure in the forward locations
will ensure better surveillance and preparedness.
The Chinese protest over the visit of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh last month had resulted in
a war of words between the two countries.
Poyum said there is a feeling of alienation among the
people of the state and the Centre must address it.
The group also held a protest yesterday against the
Chinese claim over the state and had submitted a memorandum to
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 20:25