NE MPs Condemn Chinese Statements on Arunachal

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Condemning the recent ''provocative statement'' of the Chinese envoy to India -- as also other Chinese officials -- regarding Arunachal Pradesh, Members of Parliament from the North-East region have appealed to the Union Government to take a ''strong stand'' on the issue.

The North East MPs' Forum -- at a meeting held here yesterday -- condemned through a resolution ''the absurd, motivated and provocative statement'' of the Chinese Ambassador here and other high Chinese officials claiming Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of Chinese territory.

''The Forum feels that such unwarranted, provocative and irresponsible statement on the eve of the visit of the Chinese President has created unnecessary confusion between the two countries when there was a sustained effort to improve our bilateral ties'', said Forum Working Chairman Rishang Keishing.

''Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will remain an integral part of India and India's sovereignty is not negotiable under any circumstances,'' noted the Forum meet atended by 30 MPs from the region.

The meeting further appealed to the Central Government to take '' ''a strong stand'' on the issue and express its ''full solidarity'' with the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

A Forum delegation -- comprising Mr Keishing, and Forum General Secretaries Arun Kumar Sharma and Nabam Rebia -- later today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard and conveyed their concern to him.

UNI BKS/DG PK GC1940