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State | Arunachal Pradesh central and the state governments haven’t done much so far to put an end to militant activities, operated by both the factions of NSCN since last two decades in the areas. The law and order is deteriorating in the state, especially in Tirap and Changlang. We can’t remain silent as the situation has reached its melting point,” he said. Besides the killing of former MP and adviser to Chief Minister Wancha Rajkumar at Deomali in Tirap district in December (2007), Arunachal Pradesh also witnessed the kidnapping of an assistant engineer from Seijosa in East Kameng district and a businessman from Nirjuli in Papum Pare district in the recent past, Bagang said while driving his point home. The union appealed to the government to seal the border with Nagaland and Myanmar to put a check to the free inflow of ultras to the state. The apex students’ body has given a boycott call on sale of any products of Nagaland. It also clamped a ban on transportation from Arunachal to Nagaland till the “abduction issue” was resolved. While urging the need to ensure safety and security of the people, AAPSU appealed to newly appointed Arunachal Pradesh Governor and former Army Chief General (Retd) J.J. Singh and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu to take immediate initiative for deployment of additional paramilitary forces in the “affected region”. Meanwhile, a statement by NSCN (K) has given a twist to the “abduction drama”. It said, the 39 boys who were reported abducted were not hostages but willing participants in NSCN(K)’s recruitment campaign. A spokesman of the outfit said, the allegations leveled by the government and students’ union were baseless. He said all the 39 boys, who came to join the NSCN(K) ranks on their own, were scanned for eligibility and some of them went back because they didn’t fit into the age criteria. But, the official version contradicts this statement. 16

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The authorities accused the NSCN(K) of forcibly taking away the boys from Tirap district and inducting them into the outfit and giving them arms training at their base along Myanmar border. On the reported abduction of 39 boys, the police said that two FIRs were registered — one at Longding and another at Pongchau police station — after they went missing. A senior official said a joint rescue operation by the police, army and paramilitary forces from the second week of February led to 15 of the boys being reunited with their families. The NSCN(K), however, said the boys joined the outfit after it had launched a recruitment campaign in January. “The boys came and joined us voluntarily. Our recruitment drive that began in January is still on,” K Mulatonu, a senior NSCN(K) leader said. He said all the new recruits were being screened by the outfit and the 15 boys who were said to have “escaped” did not fulfill our criteria and were asked to go home. The matter has generated a lot of heat in Arunachal Pradesh with Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu bringing it to the notice of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his maiden visit to the state recently. Even, AAPSU has accused the outfit of abducting the boys. The NSCN(K), fighting for a Naga homeland (Greater Nagalim) and currently on a ceasefire with Delhi since 2001, has considerable presence and influence in Tirap and Changlang districts. “Our ceasefire is restricted to Nagaland. Hence, there is no question of violating the truce as the recruitment campaign is on in Arunachal Pradesh,” Mulatonu said. “The present scenario in the two districts is taking an alarming proportion. There seems to be no way out other than a military solution. People should come to terms with the mili-

Assam State | of advertisement- ministry hrd tary presence for the insurgency to die down,” sources said. On being apprised of the latest development on the “abduction issue” by the Chief Minister, the Centre has taken up the “hostage issue” with the Myanmarese authorities as the remaining boys are reportedly held captive in their territory. “I have spoken to national security advisor M.K. Narayanan twice since reports of abduction came out in the open. I have requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee to initiate the matter with the Myanmar authorities to bring the remaining boys to safe hands,” Khandu said. In this regard, the Governor Gen (Retd) J.J. Singh has also spoken to the Army chief of Myanmar. He also contacted the Myanmarese embassy in New Delhi. Meanwhile, a team of high police officials led by the state DGP Ajay Chaddha has also been sent to Tirap and Changlang districts to intensify security measures there. The two districts have been under the cover of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act after being declared as “disturbed area” by the Centre. Khandu lamented, though, the state has been bearing the brunt of militancy for the last two decades no step was taken earlier by his predecessors to curb the problem. “The present Congress government has taken a bold initiative against militancy despite getting serious threats from the ultras,” he said. It is felt that the Supreme Court ban on timber operation in 1996 and the absence of any industries in Arunachal have led to the rise of unemployment problems among the youths of the state, especially the two districts. The situation has reportedly taken a “serious turn”, leading the way to underground activities. The militant outfits are exploiting the “mess”, finding “easy prey” in the youths, becoming “people of nowhere”.

To eradicate poverty and wipe out corruption from the State. To free the State from social injustice, illhealth and inequality. To fully utilise the rich hydro power potentials to make Arunachal Pradesh a self-reliant power state. To promote education among women by implementing ‘Pratibha Khoj’ in Arunachal Pradesh. To boost up the Tourism Industry of Arunachal Pradesh.

Hon’ble CM of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Dorjee Khandu

To harness the rich natural and mineral resources to make Arunachal economically prosperous State

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