All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union holds Statewide protests against Chinese govt

ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) on Thursday organized a Statewide protest against the recent push by China to build a civilian settlement across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the repeated territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

While the protest was witnessed in all the districts, AAPSU along with 16 students and community-based organizations staged a sit-in protest at the Indira Gandhi Park here.

The unions condemned the nefarious activities of China by holding banners, placards, and decrying the Central government for keeping silent over the issue.

Speaking to reporters, AAPSU president Hawa Bagang blamed the Central government for its failure in protecting the State from foreign incursions. He also said that the AAPSU is ready to fight against Chinese military if the Central government gives it the permission.

Bagang further said that the Central government has repeatedly failed to protect the State from any foreign incursion. "Since the past decades, the Chinese government has been disturbing the people of the State by illegal activities through the Tibet border which is unconsciously affecting the psychological of the people of the State," he added.

Bagang also urged the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the State to be vocal on such matters concerning the interest of the State and its people. He also appealed to the Central government for road and telecommunication connectivity in the border areas in the State while demanding to release development packages and to increase military forces in the State.

AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said that the symbolic protest is a message to the central government that the indigenous people of the State reject the repeated claim of China over the State.

He also said that the people of the State are frustrated against the half hearted approach and lackadaisical attitude by the Central government towards such serious issues concerning the country.

"The Central government should be ashamed for not voicing strongly", Dai said while seeking a strong stand from both the Central and State governments over the condemnable act of Chinese.

He also said that the Chinese claiming on the land of Arunachal Pradesh is an old issue, and whether it is Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the approach has always been half hearted towards the State's issues.

Meanwhile, North East Students' Organization coordinator, Pritam Bhai Sonam urged the ruling government for collective measures on the act and not to play blame game when the issue is of nation's interest.

He posed, ''If the mistake was done during the Congress government, why are the present ruling governments not taking measures to correct it?''