ACR urges Centre to resolve Indo-China border row

Itanagar, Jun 17 (UNI) The Arunachal Citizens' Right (ACR) has urged the Centre to settle the Indo-China border row, particularly along the line of actual control (LaC), before implementing its ''Look East Policy''.

In a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Shillong yesterday, the ACR, while pointing out the various issues discussed in the recently held interactive session at Rajiv Gandhi Central University, stated that the boundary issue would be a stumbling block in the smooth implementation of this policy in geo-political and bilateral perspectives.

Pointing out that traditional councils and customary practices (laws) were still prevalent in most of the NE states, the letter stated that a review was required in the context of the Look East Policy to cope with the consequences of such a policy.

Hydro power electricity and water resources of the region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, could be two prime sources of interest to the Far East countries, especially China and Japan, besides its rich biodiversity, flora and fauna, the letter stated.

The letter added that Arunachal could be one of the targets for industrial growth centres, once the power sector was improved.

It also demanded separation of the judiciary from the executive to tackle the law and order situation in case of implementation of the Look East Policy and proper assessment of overall implications of this policy in respect of natural resources.

Other demands included adoption of concrete industrial and market policy in the state, settlement of inter-state boundary disputes, solution to the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue, special financial package to develop infrastructure, including air connectivity, establishment of foreign language training institutions in each NE state and opening up of the trade routes.

UNI