Centre sanctions Rs 130 crore for Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 130 crore to Arunachal Pradesh as a 'special package' for modernization of police forces in troubled Tirap and Changlang districts, Union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran said today.

"The package is meant for improvement of all the existing police stations and opening of new ones in both the districts," the minister said before leaving for New Delhi.

Asked to comment on steps being taken on reported movement of underground elements in both the districts from across the border and the hardship faced by the people, the union minister informed that the Centre was alive to the problem.

"I am aware of the problem and that is why I am here to study the ground realities of this sensitive border state," he added.

Ramachandran, who arrived here last evening on his maiden visit to the state convened a high level meeting today which was attended by Parliamentary Secretary (Home) Gadam Ete, Chief Secretary Tabom Bam, Home Commissoner T Taloh besides senior police officers headed by IGP S B K Singh.

The IGP appraised the minister on the security scenario of the state.

The minister also called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan, a Raj Bhavan communique informed where the overall internal security scenario of the state and other initiatives required from the ministry was discussed.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the state, the Governor emphasized on expediting police modernization and providing adequate funds to implement the programme. He also called for more recruitment under state civil police.