China's claim revives ADC demand

itanagar, Mar 20 (UNI) The demand for creating an Autonomous District Council(ADC) for Tawang-West Kameng and Tirap-Changlang was raised again in the state assembly today with China repeatedly claiming territory of this Himalayan state.

Wanglin Lowangdong MLA from Tirap, while raising the issue during a short-hour duration discussion, reminded the house of its unanimous approval to the issue in February 2004.

All four districts who made the demands today were backward, particularly Tirap, whose Below Poverty Line population sustained either on Public Distribution Systems (PDS) supplies or wild roots, he said and pointed out that the district's literacy rate was only 42 per cent and employment share in government sector merely two per cent.

T G Rimpoche from Tawang suggested following Meghalaya model where, Khasi Jayantia and Gara ADCs were formed to speed up economic development.

While BJP MLA Kipa Babu apprehended that ADC could sow seeds of disparity among the 26 major tribes in the state as Nyishis or Adis would demand Dafla or Abor ADC.

Congress legislator from Changlang Wangnia Pongte informed that the leaders of the four districts have decided to lead a delegation headed by chief minister to convince New Delhi to honour the demand.

However, Mr Babu disclosed that MP Tapir Gao had moved the Lok Sabha recently to bring Arunachal under the Sixth Schedule to accelerate development to its inhabitants.

NCP legislator from Tirap grant Thangwang Wangham described the demand under the constitution to grant self-governing body to help the people decide their fate.

The demand could be taken up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is scheduled to visit the state in April, he added.

Mr Wangham supported Mr Lowangdong's view that constitutional safeguard would protect our land identity and formation of Tawang-West Kameng ADC would authenticate rights over our territory.

When Independent MLA from West Kameng R K Khrimey pleaded the house to be unanimous on restoring Arunachal to 1972 status when it was under the Sixth Schedule, opposition Leader Kameng Dolo extended his support saying that such council was functioning in Asom, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

In his reply, Chief Minister Gegong Apang endorsed the unanimous view and informed that the demand would be included in the memorandum to be submitted to the prime minister during his visit.

Mr Apang, who was instrumental in the smooth passage of the resolution in 2004, clarified that Panchayati Raj would be abolished if Sixth Schedule comes into force, when Mr Dolo wondered how two institutions would function together.

UNI