Guwahati (Assam): On June 17, the Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh visited Kimin in Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the 17 roads including the 20 km long Kimin-Potin road. The Defence Minister was accompanied by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. However, the Border Roads Organisation which organized the programme mentioned Kimin as part of Assam, instead of Arunachal on signboards and banners put up at the venue. It was also observed that the signboards and banners where Arunachal Pradesh was mentioned were covered using white paste.
Although the BRO has remained tightlipped over the issue, it is learnt that they have masked the name of Arunachal Pradesh to evade China's objection to strategic border projects and also the objection of the Defence Minister's visit to the frontier state. Last year China had strongly objected to Rajnath Singh's visit to the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, which the neighbouring country often claims to be a part of South Tibet.
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A BRO official on condition of anonymity said that they have not fed misinformation but whatever was done is due to "strategic reasons which were deliberated at the highest level". Organizations like the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), the Nyishi Students Organization and Adi Bane Kebang have raised strong objection to the BRO's goof-up in making an erroneous statement terming Kimin, one of the oldest administrative headquarter of Arunachal Pradesh in Papumpare district as a part of Assam. Several student bodies on Monday staged silent protests against the BRO in front of the BRO headquarters in the frontier state.
"A serious mistake was committed by BRO during the inauguration of 11 new and old widened roads in Arunachal Pradesh by mentioning Kimin as Assam. The matter came to my notice after the event and I've immediately conveyed it to BRO for urgent rectification of the mistake which happened without the knowledge of the Defence Minister and the Arunachal Pradesh government,' tweeted Kiren Rijiju.
'BRO staff will meet local administration to correct the error. We are strong people and these gross mistakes will not affect an inch of our territorial status. Arunachal Pradesh Chie Minister Pema Khandu Ji & Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji will also meet soon for better coordination to avoid any local land disputes. We are sister states and we must co-exist peacefully," Rijiju said.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also termed the development as unfortunate and said that he has asked the local administration to find out the reasons behind the error.
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