Arunachal Rights Body Demands Better Infrastructure for Refugee Areas

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission wants immediate upgrades to road and flood-control infrastructure in the Chakma and Hajong settlement zones. Acting Chairperson Bamang Tago toured the Diyun and Bordumsa circles in June. He sent his findings directly to the Chief Minister.

Poor roads kill local trade. A 33-kilometer stretch between Namsai and Diyun takes over an hour. This ruins economic momentum in the Changlang and Namsai districts. Diyun is home to the 2nd Arunachal Pradesh India Reserve Battalion. Better roads mean security forces can move fast during emergencies.

The region is a cash cow. Diyun alone produces Rs 50 crore in areca nut trade every year. The Commission stated, "The recommendations seek to strike a balance between humanitarian concerns, developmental needs and the legitimate demographic and cultural interests of Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous tribes."

The Dihing River is the main culprit. It floods annually, ruining crops and pushing displaced residents to expand beyond their assigned borders. The Commission argues that controlling these floods will keep the population inside designated zones. This directly addresses local fears regarding demographic shifts.

The panel wants the state to speed up road work between Namsai-Diyun and Diyun-Miao. They are calling for PMGSY coverage for all settlement areas. They also want these routes added to the East-West Industrial Corridor. Flood control projects may require help from the North Eastern Council and the central government.