Centre mulls special army regiment for Arunachal

The Centre is contemplating raising an Arunachal regiment of the Indian Army [ Images ], on the lines of the Ladakh Scouts formed in 1963, to protect the northeastern state from Chinese incursions.

The proposal, initiated by the Arunachal Pradesh government, has reportedly been approved by both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] and Defence Minister A K Antony; the latter is now drawing up a proposal to present it before the Union Cabinet.

The Arunachal regiment will help the Indian army in its fight against Chinese incursions, as local youths familiar with the local terrain and conditions will be able to effectively repulse the Chinese  from trying to make inroads in the area. Such a regiment will also offer an employment opportunity for many unemployed youths in the state.

A delegation led by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu [ Images ] is slated to meet Dr Singh and other senior officials on Monday to apprise them of the situation in the sensitive border state. The delegation will also meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi [ Images ], Antony and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.

Dr Singh had invited Khandu to Delhi [ Images ] to discuss concrete proposals to put an end to Chinese incursions in the state.

The delegation is expected to discuss ideas to strengthen the existing infrastructure in the state, particularly roads and communication in the forward locations, to ensure better surveillance and preparedness.

According to Arunachal Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy, who has already arrived in Delhi, the people of his state will feel secure if military preparedness along the border is enhanced.

"For strategic reasons, we need better surveillance along the 1080-km long international border with China," he said.

The Congress MP also demanded that the government take action against Google for showing Arunachal Pradesh as part of China on its map, claiming that it was part of an international conspiracy.