ITANAGAR, Aug 20 - Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today directed to place the Group of Ministers (GoM) report on �Lower Siang issue� before the State Cabinet for taking an �appropriate decision�.
�Khandu while understanding the gravity of the issue has directed to place the report in the next Cabinet meeting for appropriate decision. He has stated that it shall be the sincere effort of the Govt to bring this matter to a closure soon while respecting the sentiments of all stakeholders,� said a press note from CMO here this evening.
It added, �However, administrative convenience and ease of governance must be objectively assessed in the larger interest for operationalisation of the proposed (Lower Siang) district in particular and the State as a whole.�
The GoM � constituted by the State Govt in April last to study the Lower Siang district issue � has already submitted its report to the Govt on July 25 last. The GoM is headed by Food & Civil Supplies Minister Kamlung Mossang with PHE & WS Minister Bamang Felix and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Dairy Development Minister Dr Mohesh Chai being its members, while Special Secretary (IT) Prince Dhawan was the member secretary.
The Chief Minister�s latest initiative came amid the ongoing �non-cooperation movement� launched by Galo Students� Union (GSU), Galo People�s Front (GPF) and Galo Youth Organisation (GYO) in Likabali and Nari-Koyu Assembly constituencies since August 11 last coinciding with the Independence Day in protest against the State Govt�s alleged apathy in functionalising the newly created Lower Siang district. They also reportedly threatened to launch �Tala bandh abhiyan� at all Govt establishments excepting educational institutions in the three Assembly segments of Likabali, Basar and Nari-Koyu.
Previously, the GSU had served an �ultimatum� to the Khandu Govt to functionalise the Lower Siang district by posting of DC and SP along with other HoDs before August 10 failing which it threatened to launch the non-cooperation movement.
