Indo-Bhutan interaction held in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, Jan 19 (PTI) Representatives from Bhutan andArunachal Pradesh had an interaction on issues pertaining toIndo-Bhutan relationship in Arunachal Pradesh.

Dasho Lungten Dorji, the Deputy Commissioner ofTashigong district of Bhutan, who led a delegation helddiscussion with his Tawang counterpart Gamli Padu at Tawang onMonday, official sources said here today.

During the discussion it was decided that for any caseof movement in the check gates, be it pilgrimage or filming,the people should get prior approval from the concernedauthority from Tawang or Bhutan.

In case of any problem on the Bhutan side, Dorji saidthe tourists need not panic but directly approach the villagegup or the SDO.

Sporadic issues relating to grazing, cattle lifting,damage of borer pillars also figured during the discussion.

Elaborating on rebuilding border pillar numbers 333and 349, Padu said the matter had been apprised to the Centreand talks were on between the two countries.

Mitul Kumar, Commandant SSB suggested that thereshould be joint border patrolling from both sides, to whichDorji articulated that he would take up the issue to higherlevel to do it at least twice a year, sources said.

During the visit, which aimed at increasing theadministration-to-administration and people-to-people contact,Dorji was accompanied by Tshewang Tobgyel, a Sub-DivisionalOfficer and Phurba Wangdi, a Gup (gaon burah).

At the meeting, the Tawang DC was accompanied bydistrict SP S N Mosobi, officials from SSB, which guards theIndo-Bhutan border and some officials from intelligenceagencies.

Tawang and the eastern parts of Bhutan includingSapteng and Merak have business as well as family ties sincetime immemorial, Dorji said.