Amar Singh lashes out at Thackeray for attack on north Indians

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 10 (UNI) Launching a seathing attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for attacking north Indians, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh today asked Raj Thackeray to take lessons from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for respecting people from other parts of the country. Mr Singh, along with party MP Jaya Prada, arrived here today to attend the 8th Buddha Mahotsava, while appreciating the people of Tawang for keeping Buddha's teachings alive he praised them for their hospitability and peace loving nature. ''Lord Buddha was born in Uttar Pradesh and our people have strong relation with Buddhism. The people of Arunachal deserve appreciation for their respect towards people from other parts of the country, but this tendency lacks in Thackeray and his party,'' he said.

Referring to the oft-repeated claims of China on Arunachal's territory, Mr Singh pointed out that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement at Tawang yesterday and recent announcement of over Rs 20,000 crore package by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had proved the Centre's stand on Arunachal as an integral part of India. Already 12-round of talks had been convened between India and China on the vexed border and a suitable solution was expected to be arrived at soon, he added.

Expressing solidarity to the Dalai Lama and Tibet, Mr Singh said that his party always treated Tibet as a part of India and would extend support for the Himalayan Kingdom's sovereignty.

Appreciating Mr Khandu for his developmental efforts, Mr Singh while referring to the power potential of the state commented that Arunachal Pradesh would shine as the power house of the country in near future.

Addressing the gathering the Samawadi Party MP and noted film actress Jaya Prada exhorted the people to adopt the path of non-violence as preached by Lord Buddha.

The veteran actress while appreciating the scenic beauty of Tawang assured to impress Bollywood film makers to shoot their films in Arunachal.

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