AAPSU asks AAI to construct Greenfield airport at Karsingsa

ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has urged the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to construct the proposed Greenfield airport at Karsingsa and said that setting up the airport at Hollongi as proposed would entail rehabilitation of Chakma and Hajong refugees.

An AAPSU team led by its president Kamta Lapung called on AAI executive director (planning) Kalpana Sethi at New Delhi yesterday and placed the demand, saying the foundation stone for the project was laid on February 20, 2007 by the then Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil, a press release said here today.

"The no-objection certificate from the defence ministry as well as the environment clearance for the airport was also obtained, while the public hearing was conducted on December 4, 2009," the apex students' body of the state said.

When the locals were ready to donate land at Karsingsa, located near the inter-state boundary, and setting up the airport there would not require rehabilitation of the refugees, why was the project's location altered?, the AAPSU questioned.

The AAPSU, which is spearheading the movement against refugees for the last few decades, says it cannot allow their rehabilitation by the state government, Lapung said adding, "We cannot facilitate their rehabilitation in our land where even Indians require permit to visit".