Border roads developed & settlements encouraged in areas along China border: Pema Khandu

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Central and the State governments are making efforts for the development of border roads and encouraging human settlement in the border areas to counter any threat from the Chinese. This was stated by State Chief Minister Pema Khandu in reply to a query related to the report of China's construction of three villages near the Bumla Pass of Arunachal Pradesh, State Chief Minister Khandu stated that the report is true, but the Chinese are constructing villages within their territory and not in Indian Territory.

"The construction of villages by China is on their part of land and there is no encroachment of our land. We also know the construction as well as the Indian government is well aware of it," he said, adding that China wants expansion of their territory.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu said this while interacting with the media after kicking off the BJP party election campaign for Pancahayti Raj and Municipal election amidst hundreds of BJP supporters and party leaders at A-sector, Naharlagun here on Thursday.

The campaign was attended by Home Minister Bamang Felix, State BJP president Biyuram Waghe, BJP general secretary Zignu Nacmhoom along with the party candidates and BJP office bearers.

Addressing the campaign, Khandu said that the BJP in the State has made historic moves by winning five seats unopposed out of the 20 municipalities in Itanagar. He also said that the party has made historic remarks by winning a large number of rural body elections 'unopposed' in the State.

"I thank the people of State for their faith in the BJP by ensuring the victories of 96 Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) unopposed out of 240 Zilla Parishad Constituency (ZPC); 5,463 Gram Panchayat Members (GPM) unopposed out of around 8,000 gram panchayat constituencies, and five Corporators of the total 20 municipal wards unopposed," he said.

He added that the Municipal election is very sensitive for the people as it is the base for the 'Smart City' project.

Khandu also assured that if the BJP wins the municipal elections with majority, he will decentralize the power & functions of Corporators in the coming Budget session.

"The State government has provided 13 power & functions to a Corporator out of the 20," he said, adding that the rest seven will also be provided if the BJP gets the majority.

Khandu also said that the people of the State have undying faith in the party. This is the reason BJP has been declared unopposed in the rural as well as urban local body election.

On the sideline of the election campaign, when questioned the reason behind the recent visit by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagawat in the State, Khandu said that it was a courtesy visit and is nowhere linked with the Tawang-church issue. "As the chief of RSS, he was called on to the office. People should not misunderstand that his visit was related to any religious issue pertaining to the Tawang church or others," he added.

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