Rijiju disapproves of Chinese engineers in Arunachal's oil sector

Itanagar, Jun 26 (UNI) Lok Sabha member Kiren Rijiju, who represents Arunachal Pradesh (West) in Parliament, today criticised the Centre for approving Chinese oil companies to provide manpower and equipment to India for oil exploration at Kharsang and Jairampur in Changlang district.

''Arunachal is a sensitive state with China's claim on its territory. Direct or indirect involvement of a Chinese company should not be allowed in the state as security concerns must first be addressed before giving clearance to any foreign company,'' Mr Rijiju said while interacting with newspersons at a function at Doimukh.

He said four Chinese engineers have already arrived in the state and currently sharing expertise and knowledge with Indian oil companies executing exploration work at Kharsang and Jairampur.

He disclosed that he had discussed the matter with the Indian companies and they assured him that the security aspect of the state was being kept in mind.

''I am not convinced with their reply and decided to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament,'' he emphatically said, adding, if the BJP returned to power at the Centre, the first priority would be to send the Chinese equipment and manpower out of Arunachal.

He added that any explanation in this matter should come from the Chinese Embassy in India and not from the oil companies.

Saying he had brought the matter before the Union Home Affairs Ministry, the MP disclosed the ministry had already initiated an inquiry into the matter and the report was awaited.

''We must understand the sentiments of the people of the state, otherwise a serious repercussion will emerge,'' he said, adding that he did not want bitter relations between the two Asian giants but China should stop playing pressure tactics.

Mr Rijiju would leave for Shimla to attend an all-party conference on the MacMohan line, slated for July 3.

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