By Hemanta Kumar Nath
Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], October 1 (ANI): The residents of the bordering villages in Arunachal Pradesh are expressing their outrage over China’s actions towards the North Eastern state and asserted that the state will forever remain an integral part of India.
In August this year, China released a ‘standard map’ claiming Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of its territory.
The villagers of Sengnup, Kharseneng, and Grengkhar villages under the Tawang sector said that they are living in a peaceful environment and they feel secure because of the Indian army and the current government.
Sange Dorjee, a villager of the Kharseneng area told ANI that, the Prime Minster Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the Pema Khandu-led Arunachal Pradesh government have done lots of developmental work in the bordering villages.
“Earlier, the road condition in our area was so bad, but the current government has made a concrete road in our village for which the villagers are getting suitable road connectivity. Most of the people in our village are farmers and the government has extended help to the farmers also. We are happy with the works done by both Central and state governments,” Sange Dorjee said.
On the other hand, Karchung, a local resident of Grengkhar village said that they feel proud as an Indian.
“We are with the Indian army and the government. China is claiming Arunachal Pradesh as their part, but Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. We will not bow down to China. If needed we will go with the Indian army to fight against China,” Karchung said. Another villager Yontan said that India will always be part of India.
The Vibrant Villages Programme was approved on February 15 this year, with the Centre’s contribution of Rs 4800 crore for the period financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26 including Rs 2500 crore specifically for road connectivity and the scheme aimed at the comprehensive development of villages in border areas to improve the quality of life of people and develop the infrastructural development works.
The government approved the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th February 2023 for the comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts abutting the northern border in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh. (ANI)
