China's tirade - objects to Antony's visit to Arunachal Pradesh

Recently Dr Meetei was conferred the prestigious State Award on 20^th Feb 2012 and that has created controversy because of the statements of our unfriendly neighbour !!  - Can you associate the name of Nabam Tuki and the place in the coordinate :  27.06°N 93.37°E.   Its name literally means   "land of the dawn-lit mountains" in Sanskrit. It is also known as "land of the rising sun"

Mr Nabam Tuki is the Chief Minister of the the Indian State of ‘Arunachala Pradesh’.   He  is the 7^th CM and was sworn on 1^st Nov 2011 by Governor Joginder Jaswant Singh.  Arunachal Pradesh, situated in the North-Eastern part of India with 83743 sq. kms area attained its statehood on 20th February 1987. It has a long international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the north and north-east (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the east (440 km). It stretches from snow-capped mountains in the north to the plains of Brahmaputra valley in the south. Arunachal is the largest state area-wise in the north-east region, even larger than Assam which is the most populous.  Itanagar, located at an altitude of 530 meters above MSL,  is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh It is named after Itafort meaning fort of bricks built in 14th century A.D.

Immediately after the Nation’s independence in 15^th Aug 1947, North East Frontier Agency commonly known as NEFA became an integral part of the Union of India. It was administrated by the Ministry of External Affairs with the Governor of Assam acting as agent to the President of India. The administrative head was the Advisor to the Governor.  In 1972, the NEFA became a Union Territory when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and acquired the name of Arunachal Pradesh. After 3 years, in 1975, it acquired a legislature. And finally, on 20th February 1987 Statehood was conferred on Arunachal Pradesh when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister and it became the 25th State of the Union of India.

It is STATE and AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COUNTRY..  The northern border of Arunachal Pradesh follows the McMahon Line, a border delineated in the Simla Accord that was signed by the United Kingdom and Tibet in 1914 ; China has been disputing this and claiming that some of the portions belongs to it.   

Dr. Kangabam Romeo Meetei, In-charge Adventure Cell Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh has been conferred the excellence award, the Highest State Award for promoting adventure sports in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern states.  It was presented to him by Hon’ble Defense Minister Shri. A K Anthony and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Nabam Tuki,  at the function celebrating the  25th State Hood day Celebration 2012 held in Itanagar on 20th February 2012.  Under Dr. Meetei two girls namely Mrs. Anshu Jamsenpa & Miss. Tine Mena has scaled the Mount Everest and created many records which bring laurel to the state as well as for the country in 2011.

In a statement that smacks of arrogance and rancour, Chinese Foreign Ministry objected to the visit of Indian Defence Minister to our own State.  Chinese ministry spokesman Hong Lei stated that  India should refrain from taking any action that could complicate the border issue.  The official Xinhua news agency said Hong was reacting to reports of "Indian officials participating in activities organized by the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' region". Put simply, Beijing does not want the central government to become more popular with the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it would make it difficult for China to press its claims over the region.   

In its aftermath, Union defence minister AK Antony  slammed China for raising objections to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, describing Beijing's comments on the issue as "most unfortunate" and "really objectionable". He said Arunachal is an intergral part of India as Jammu and Kashmir and  as defence minister it is his right and duty to visit the state, which has recently celebrated 25th anniversary of its statehood.

It is time that the Govt. strongly conveys that such objections will not be tolerated and these would amount to inference and meddling to our Internal matters..

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.