Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul wants more cooperation with Assam

ITANAGAR: In an effort to strengthen peace-building efforts between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today asked for further cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two states.

Speaking to the activists of Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad at Guwahati, the chief minister expressed his intention to give renewed thrust on efforts to promote cultural interaction and strengthen friendship between the people of the two states, an official report said.

"Our existence in this eternal world is only temporary.

This earth has existed much before we came and will remain so after we leave it.

So what are we fighting for that we intend to take away with us when we die? " Pul asked.

As part of peace-building exercise, he said development efforts along the inter-state boundaries would resume side-by-side with encouragement for people-to-people interactions.

He revealed that efforts would be on to mobilise all the ethnic organisations from the two states to build a common platform in the form of 'committees'.

"This committees will work on organizing games and sports, literary events and cultural and language exchange programmes," he said.

On development efforts, the chief minister revealed that the state government would build schools, hospitals, police stations and other service institutions close to the Assam borders, which would serve people from both the state.

He said, Assam would also be encouraged to take up similar activities along its border.

The chief minister revealed that statues of legendary Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika would be erected on major entry points along the Assam-Arunachal boundary to celebrate the centuries of cultural bonding between the two states.

Hazarika, he said made great cultural contribution not only to the world but also to Arunach Pradesh.

Pul further disclosed that he would visit all-important places in Assam-Arunachal boundary to get firsthand information on the ground situation and to monitor the progress of his initiative, the report said.

He, however, desisted people not to fall prey to 'bad politics' of the organisations promoting hatred and enmity between the two states, which thrive on such commotion for their own existence, the report added.