Modi did not speak of core issues : AAPSU

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not speak about core issues confronting the north eastern state in his address to the people during his visit here on Thursday.

The apex students body of the state said, "It is a big letdown that the prime minister did not mention about the five-decade-old Chakma and Hajong refugee issue and the inter-state boundary dispute with Assam among others."

It said that the people of the state were waiting with "bated breath" that the prime minister would take cognizance of the two issues along with other important ones like loopholes in the statehood bills, the protracted Naga political imbroglio and revamping of central government controlled education institutes in the state.
 

"But, unfortunately none of the above issues got a mention in Modis addresses which are paramount to the survival of indigenous people of the state, AAPSU President Hawa Bagang said.

The students union also termed as "most unfortunate" that union minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, and Chief Minister Pema Khandu did not speak of the issues in their respective address before the prime minister.

Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Nabam Tuki termed Modi's visit as an "utter disappointment" when the people of Arunachal were eagerly looking for him to announce a special developmental package for the state.

This was his second visit to Arunachal. With the BJP government both at the Centre and in the state the expectation was massive. But his visit has not borne any fruit and instead disappointed every Arunachalee, said Tuki.

Comparing Modis visit to that of Manmohan Singh, he said the former prime minister during his visit here in 2009 had announced a special economic package of Rs 24,000 crore to improve connectivity in the state, including construction of the Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH), four-lane and two-lane roads, IT communication and infrastructure development projects.

"We are now reaping the benefits of Singhs visionary act with the construction of the TAH, Tuki said.