Arunachal protests encroachment in its area by Assam

ITANAGAR: Assam government Forest department officials allegedly set up a beat office at Rashaso in Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday triggering protests by the latter, an official said today.

Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tai Kaye said in a statement that he along with Superintendent of Police (SP) P N Khrimey and other administrative officials had inspected the area yesterday after their proposed visit to the site was stalled by Assam police on Sunday.

During the visit, Kaye said, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sonitpur in Assam was found supervising the illegal construction works with protection extended by the Assam Police, the Assam Reserve Battalion and other security forces.

Three semi-permanent structures were found erected on the side of the main approach road just about 200 metres from Radhaso village and the IRB outpost, the DC said.

"The construction site falls absolutely within the administrative jurisdiction of Papum Pare district," he said.

The DC had conveyed to the DFO his government's objection to the activity of the Assam government undermining the sensitivity and without soliciting the good will and confidence of Arunachal Pradesh and appealed to him to stop any further construction activity till the matter was critically examined, reviewed and resolved.

Meanwhile, the DC has appealed to the people to maintain peace and not to take law into their hands as state government was actively looking into the matter.