Tawang, other areas of Arunachal integral parts of India: HM

Itanagar, Apr 2 (PTI) In a snub to China, India on
Friday said Tawang and other areas of the northeastern state,
Arunachal Pradesh are its integral parts and will always
remain so.

"Tawang and all of Arunachal Pradesh are part of India
and will always remain a part of India. I think we have stated
this more than once, reiterating it is not necessary...,"
Union Home Minister of India P Chidambaram, who is likely to
visit the Buddhist town on Saturday, told reporters here.
China claims that the Buddhist town of Tawang and some
other areas of Arunachal Pradesh are part of it. But India has
always rejected these claims.
Chidambaram was supposed to visit Tawang yesterday but
could not do so because of inclement weather.
"I will make another attempt to visit Tawang
tomorrow," Chidambaram, who arrived here this morning from
Guwahati, said.
Asked if his visit to Arunachal, which borders
Myanmar, had anything to do with the much-speculated
operations by Myanmarese army against northeast militants in
base camps there, he said "everything cannot be discussed in
public."
According to him, violence and militancy in the
northeast have come down.
"We simply have to get more groups to talk to us. 2009
was a big success in containing militancy and talks through
interlocutors are going on with some major groups including
NSCN-IM.
On talks with ULFA, he said "We are ready to talk to
ULFA and others also if they abjure violence and express
willingness. However, there are splinter groups which are
carrying out extortion and other unlawful activities. We will
take firm action against them."
Chidambaram, accompanied by officials of his ministry,
reviewed the law and order situation in the state,
particularly Tirap and Changlang districts declared disturbed
under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, with army, ITBP and
security agencies. PTI PGD
AHM


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