ITANAGAR, Nov 11: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) expressed disappointment at the address of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who delivered the key note address of the 7th Rutum Kamgo memorial lecture here today. 

 

The AAPSU in a press release said that though the frequent visits of Sitharaman to Arunachal Pradesh amply reflects her benevolence and affection for the state, the Union is disappointed with her keynote address on the topic “Towards Bridging the Indo-China Relationship” for missing out key issues pertaining to the state and felt that oration without strengthening the basic foundation may become a non-starter for all the good intent we have for China and both countries should reciprocate each other in their engagements.   

Since the topic was of paramount and strategic interest to the state, a strong contingent of AAPSU also attended the memorial lecture. However, AAPSU General Secretary Tobom Dai stated that it was a great let down those basic issues that are of very serious nature for the state of Arunachal Pradesh namely the “Water Treaty” with regards to the recent Siang flash flood whereby artificially induced flood from China was experienced which resulted in the inundation of many villages, standing crops, agricultural land etc. did not find any place in her address, the never ending issue of stapled visa was also skipped. 

Her deliberation on “Look East Policy” now coined “Act East policy” by the present regime need holistic approach whereby all the stakeholders on the ground are involved otherwise development depriving local stakeholders will hold no meaning, it added.