Arunachal gears up for PM's maiden visit

Itanagar, Jan 21 (UNI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has geared up its machinery for the maiden visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the state later this month.

Briefing mediapersons here today, Water Resources Development Minister and government spokesman Tako Dabi said preparations were on for Dr Singh's visit, though the final programme of the itinerary was yet to be finalised.

Dr Singh is likely to inaugurate the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on January 31 followed by a public meeting at the Indira Gandhi Park.

He would also inaugurate the Brahmakund Bridge near Parsuram Kund under Arunachal's Lohit district, on February 1.

''The PM's visit to the state immediately after his trip to China last week bears significance as it will induce a sense of security among the state's people after repeated Chinese claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh,'' Dabi said.

The PM's visit would also prove Delhi's concern for this land-locked state, he added.

The official spokesman hoped bilateral relations between India and China would improve with consistent approach by the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre with the Chinese authority over the long-drawn boundary issue.

Reacting to a news report telecast by a national TV channel projecting Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu' 2-hour visit across the border near Bumla in Arunachal's Tawang sector, along with civilians during October 2006 in a negative way, Mr Dabi said there was nothing wrong in Khandu's participation in the Chinese National day celebration on the other side of the border as a civilian.

''The visit of the Chief Minister was fully justified and we appreciate it,'' he added.

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