Don’t force us to seek help from China — Arunachal MPs

The floods swept away eight crucial bridges and 15 swing bridges in the Upper, West and East Siang valley, and Dibang Valley. The damage is estimated at Rs 139.10 crore. But the state government has been able to raise only Rs 2.2 crore as calamity relief fund.

The three MPs from the state have been camping in New Delhi hoping to initiate a debate in Parliament but had to be content with circulating a bulky memorandum. Says Jardom Gamlin, a Lok Sabha MP from the state: “The Centre has to stop this step-motherly treatment of Arunachal. If the situation continues then soon there will be a major revolt in the state.”

Though Arunachal shares international borders with Bhutan and Burma besides China, it is only the border with China which is considered sensitive. “We are also Indians,” says Gamlin and adds, “The Centre should treat us as Indians. It is very important that the Centre does not put us in a situation where we are forced to seek help from across the border.”

Asked if Arunachal would seek help from China if India does not help with dealing with the floods, he says, “Our only request is that please do not give us the chance to search for relief.” He says he has been assured that the Ministry of External Affairs will be taking up the issue of the Siang river with Beijing.

Nabam Rebia, a Rajya Sabha MP from Arunachal, shares the emotion. “Most of the Siang valley is cut off from the rest of the country. People cannot live in these areas without essential commodities like drinking water, food, medicines and shelter. So they are moving to higher areas,” he points out. “These are around the Gelling area which is closer to the Chinese border. While villagers have been found near the Chinese territory, it is not formally known that the Chinese are helping,” he says.

Rebia is among the few Arunachal leaders who had asked the Centre to seek compensation from China for the damage caused due to floods. Along with other MPs, he has also met Home Minister L K Advani and Minister of State for Agriculture Nitish Kumar.

“The Centre is behaving in a vindictive manner. I am not saying that assistance should not be given to Himachal Pradesh or any other state where there are floods but relief should be given according to the damage and in addition to the plan-budget of the state,” he says.

Till date, an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 has been paid to the relatives of the 26 dead, which adds up to be Rs 13 lakh. Air-dropping is the only way out for the water-locked areas to get any assistance. “But though the helicopters have been helping us with supplying everything to these villages we owe them money without paying which this will have to be discontinued.”

The Government in a memorandum to the Centre has sought Rs 15 lakh for such sorties and old dues to be written off.