Issue will be solved through discussions: CM Pema Khandu

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: A date will be fixed to find out a solution to the issue confronting the people of Mon particularly between the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) and the other community-based organization leaders, said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema.

He further asserted, "There is no hidden agenda on the Mon Autonomous Region (MAR)."

On the demand of MAR by the Mon Autonomous Region Demand Committee (MARDC), Khandu said that the discussion over the issue will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Chowna Mein. He will be accompanied by a panel of ministers and advocates very soon.

"As the Chief Minister, I honour the demand by the MARDC for MAR and at the same time; I also respect other people's objection to the autonomous region," he said adding that a solution should come out with discussions.

Khandu also informed that the MARDC had submitted the memorandum demanding the MAR, when he was at Tawang to attend a programme organized by the Army. "That's what people do when a CM visits their districts," he said.

During the press briefing here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister pointed out that that it was he who had suggested to the MARDC that they should give a press release so that the people know about the demand.

"If I had visited Tawang just for the MAR issue, why would I ask the committee demanding MAR to make the demand public?" he posed, adding that 'Team Arunachal' will never be torn apart by such demands.

Khandu also informed that the reasons behind the demand of MAR by the MARDC were for the protection of their ethnic culture, tradition and implementation of the Panchayati Raj system in that area.

The demands of MARDC and the Patkai Autonomous Council (PAC) have been there since two decades. MAR first raised the demand in 2003.

He said that there is a defect in the Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Act that needs to be looked into and changed accordingly for the unity and integrity of the people. Therefore, there is a need for a thorough discussion on the demand made by the MARDC, the Chief Minister added.

Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Exclusive chat with Jeevan B, DC, Lakhimpur with Oineetom Ojah