Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General (Retd.) Nirbhay Sharma has sounded a security alert along the Sino-Indian border. He has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and review the government’s rehabilitation policy in the northern region of Arunachal Pradesh. He has said that the Indian population along the Line of Actual Control has been dwindling. It is apprehended that this could have serious long-term security implications for the country in its relations with China. Sharma has suggested the setting up of a Border Area Security and Development Authority. The issue, he says, has to be urgently addressed. There is a constant threat that Chinese people across the border may pour into India leading to gradual assimilation of the Indian territory by China. North Myanmar has already had this experience. Illegal immigration from Bangladesh into Assam poses a similar threat.
The Governor is a former military strategist and had served in the north-east and J&K during his forty years with the Indian army. He has suggested that the civilian population along the LoAC—about 50,000—be integrated with the security forces. Paramilitary forces and the army deployed on the border should share common infrastructure, communications, health and other logistical facilities with the villagers. China has made remarkable development in the area constructing rail, road and air connectivity. This however does not necessarily account for ingress from across the LoAC into Arunachal Pradesh. It may on the other hand perhaps cast doubt on the sense of belonging of Indians on this side of the border causing their exodus.
