Rising crime graph in Arunachal concerns Apang

Itanagar, Mar 25 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang today assured the Assembly to fine tune civil and police administration to contain the rising crime graph in the state, particularly in upper Subansiri district headquarters Daporijo.

Responding to a zero hour discussion by Congress legislator Nyato Rigia and Arunachal Congress (AC) MLA Daklo Nidalk on the deteriorating law and order situation of the district, Apang admitted that the situation had turned worse following incidents committed by young criminals.

He assured deployment of one battalion of para military force and additional police personnel to verify action against police personnel guilty in a recent killing incident.

Taking a dig at the neo-rich class, administrators and technocrats for being 'materialistic', Mr Apang called for a multi-pronged approach by the development departments to stop easy flow of money.

''Fill the burning stomach by making the youth partners of development,'' he added.

Suggesting a meeting of the thinktank of the district, including elected leaders with the civil society, Mr Apang said the crux of the problem has to be found.

Initiating the discussion, Mr Rigia painted a gloomy picture of the district, which had been witnessing murders, custodial deaths, genocide and pick pocketing, while the police had miserably failed to contain the situation and arrest the criminals.

He also blamed the police for killing Pakba, a petty criminal, and demanded stern action against the guilty.

Supporting Rigia, Mr Nidak said the non-tribals should not dare to come out of their houses at Daporijo after 6 pm because of the volatile situation. However, both have demanded immediate deployment of para- military forces to contain the situation. Responding to another discussion initiated by Lokam Tassar, who highlighted that people of Kurung Kumey were starving due to discontinuation of supply of food grains by the public distribution system (PDS), Civil Supplies Minister C C Singpho informed that they initiated to relaunch head-load and hand-load systems to supply rice to remote areas.

Talking about allegation related to PDS rice distribution levelled by Tasar, Tadik Chize and Kipa Babu, the minister said the inquiry had proved the connivance of officials with contractors and head-load system was discontinued in June 2004.

Urban Development Minister Nabam Tuki told the assembly about a proposed master plan to develop capital complex as a model capital of the country. The notification issued in 1978 to declare capital complex included 132 sq km and 32 villages.

Responding to an objection about the recent demolition of houses without notice by BJP MLA Kipa Babu, Tuki said it was as per cabinet decision.

Moreover, encroachers of government land, Forest Park, government quarters, have been identified and local MLA's support needed to evict them, he added.

UNI