ITANAGAR, Aug 29: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram has called for a joint all-party parliamentary delegation to visit Taksing and other strategically important frontier areas in the Northeastern state to assess the ground situation and interact with local communities and security personnel.
Siram made the demand after undertaking a four-day visit to the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri district from August 26 to 29 “to assess the concerns of frontier residents and the prevailing situation in the area”.
He was accompanied by APCC working president and former Home Minister Tanga Byaling, general secretary and Upper Subansiri district in-charge Joro Doka, and general secretaries Tapi Nguki and Reri Kirbe Dullom, besides Congress workers, Panchayat leaders and local residents.
During the visit, the Congress team travelled towards the frontier carrying the national flag and interacted with Army personnel, who briefed them on the situation in the Taksing-Maza-Limeking and Sira sectors. Siram also met local residents and heard their concerns regarding security, road connectivity, communication, infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services.
Siram paid homage to Havildar Shere Tapa, who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1962 India-China war in the Taksing-Limeking sector.
“Those who speak about the frontier must also have the courage to reach the frontier, meet the people and understand the realities on the ground. Taksing is not a distant corner of India—it is the frontline of India,” he said.
The APCC chief urged the Centre to facilitate a joint all-party parliamentary delegation, comprising MPs from both the ruling and Opposition parties, to visit Taksing and other sensitive frontier areas, subject to security protocols.
He said such a visit would strengthen democratic oversight and national consensus while enabling elected representatives to directly interact with frontier communities, security personnel and civil authorities and assess infrastructure and the ground situation.
Siram also sought verified and authoritative information from the concerned authorities regarding reports and concerns relating to developments along the frontier, including alleged PLA activity or encroachment.
Calls for stronger frontier infrastructure
Siram called for adequate and uninterrupted logistical support, equipment, communication facilities, accommodation, medical assistance and manpower for security personnel deployed in remote and difficult frontier areas.
He also urged the Centre and the state government to undertake time-bound measures to strengthen all-weather roads and bridges, telecommunications and internet connectivity, electricity, healthcare, schools, drinking water, sanitation, emergency evacuation facilities and civil infrastructure in frontier areas.
“Development in strategically sensitive frontier areas should not be viewed merely as routine administrative expenditure. Strong civilian infrastructure is an essential component of national security and national integration,” he said.
He further stressed the need for sustainable livelihood and economic programmes to ensure that frontier villages remain inhabited and economically viable.
APCC seeks Arunachal Regiment
The APCC president also called for serious consideration of a dedicated Arunachal Regiment to strengthen security along the state's strategically sensitive frontier.
He suggested that, subject to applicable recruitment policies and defence requirements, indigenous tribal youth from Arunachal Pradesh could form a substantial part of such a regiment, citing their familiarity with the state's difficult terrain, climate and geographical conditions.
“The sons and daughters of Arunachal Pradesh know the mountains, valleys, rivers, forests and frontier terrain like no one else,” Siram said, adding that their local knowledge and resilience could be a strategic asset.
He said the proposal should be examined in consultation with the appropriate Defence authorities and within the existing constitutional, legal and institutional framework governing recruitment into the Armed Forces.
Siram reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and called for vigilance, transparency and national unity on matters concerning the country's territorial integrity.
“The people of Taksing are not living at the periphery of India. They are living at the frontline of India. If the nation expects them to stand firm on the frontier, the nation must stand firmly behind them,” he said.
He also appealed to frontier residents to remain calm, vigilant and united, assuring them that APCC would continue to raise their concerns before the state government, Centre and Parliament.