GUWAHATI: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union is in anticipation of India taking up with China vital issues concerning Arunachal Pradesh on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina.
Lok Sabha MP, Ninong Ering had through a letter urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up with Chinese President, Xi Jinping key issues such as a water treaty with China, mutual respect for territorial integrity and stapled visa to people of Arunachal, during the summit.
“We totally endorse the issues raised by Lok Sabha MP, Ninong Ering and hope that the Prime Minister takes cognizance of it,” AAPSU general secretary, Tobom Dai told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
Ering had in the letter, requested the Prime Minister to ask China to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India for peaceful co-existence, as envisaged in the historical Panchsheel agreement, and to convey the feelings of the people of Arunachal Pradesh in a firm manner”.
“In many instances, Chinese troops have tried to enter Arunachal Pradesh and build roads, recently at Bising village of Tuting subdivision,” he wrote.
The MP from Arunachal Pradesh further mentioned that the Siang river had turned black because of “ill-intent” projects and diversion of Brahmaputra river water by the Chinese authorities.
“The focus of the government must be on negotiating a water treaty with China for sustainable development of the region, which will help the northeastern states to have their right to clean water,” Ering wrote.
Besides, the MP mentioned that the issue of stapled visa to people from Arunachal was not new and must be brought to the attention of China tactfully.
China continues to grant stapled visas to residents of Arunachal as it claims the state to be a part of its territory.
AAPSU, it may be noted, had last month launched its first phase of agitation to push for a water treaty with China to tackle the fluctuating levels of the Siang River which has been causing havoc in the border state.
The inundation caused by flashfloods triggered by the rising Siang has affected several areas of the state since decades. The recent drying up of the river and an unprecedented surge the next day has also raised concerns among circles about activities going on across the border, with several farmers bearing the brunt.