Arunachal wants army to revive economy

Arunachal Pradesh is not just looking up to the army and the paramilitary forces to protect its territory against the frequent claims by neighbouring China that the state belongs to it and not to India.

The frontier state now wants the two lakh-odd troops stationed there to buy locally grown produce as its growth has been affected due to the blocking of funds from international agencies, thanks to China’s objections.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu will soon meet the Union Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi for working a way out to ensure that the central security forces buy local products, thereby bridging the growth vacuum created due to the Chinese intervention.

“Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential for growth but it is deprived of foreign funding from international financial institutions due to objections from China. It is the only state facing such a fund blockade, that is taking a toll on its economy. But it can be overcome by taking advantage of the huge presence of our army and central paramilitary forces in the state. Arunachal has the presence of more than 2,00,000 military personnel and paramilitary forces — a huge market for selling local produce and goods,” Khandu stated.