Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul says China border area inhabitants' knowledge to serve Army operations

ITANAGAR: Calling the border inhabitants as vanguards in securing the international borders, Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has said a series of measures will be taken to improve the standard of life in the border areas.

"Border people have the knowledge of local terrain and their knowledge serves as an important information source for the Army to secure the border," Pul said while addressing a group of delegates from Mechuka constituency recently in his office here, an official release today said.

"Border areas of Arunachal have always remained neglected. Arunachal comes in the national headlines only during floods and when Chinese troops make incursions," the Chief Minister said.

"Mere rhetoric is not enough. We have to reassure the border people of our commitment towards their development to make the border area habitable," he said.

Speaking on the priorities for the border people, Pul said the state government was committed in providing all basic public services such as quality drinking water, health services, good road network and proper education.

To buttress his point, he said "Hawai is today a well planned town with 24 hours uninterrupted water and power supply. It has well laid out shopping complex, good quality infrastructure such as government offices and government quarters and has a well connected two-lane road within the township."

"We have rich natural resources, hydropower, mines and minerals. These sectors will be given top priority to revive the economy of the state," he said adding, the government would also boost horticulture and agriculture development in border areas.

"We will provide all necessary financial and technical support to the farmers. Special measures will be taken to make the local economy self-sustainable," Pul said.

The Chief Minister also emphasised on developing tourism in the border areas, the release added.