Mago Chuna (Arunachal Pradesh): Residents of Mago Chuna on Thursday debunked Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh and asserted "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India."
Mago Chuna is the last border village of Arunachal Pradesh along the Indo-China border. The villagers said that, if needed they could take AK-47 rifles in their hands to fight against China.
"Arunachal can't be a part of China. We are Indian and Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. We are safe under the Indian army. Our border is so strong and more than 1000 army personnel are guarding here and the border is totally safe. We are ready to give full support to our jawans. We know how to run weapons. We can take AK-47 rifles in our hands to fight against China," Tsering Panden, a resident of Mago Chuna village told ANI.
The villagers said that lots of development work along the international border areas has been done during the current BJP-led government.
"We want to thank the central government that, the government has done a lot of infrastructure development works here. This is the last border village of Arunachal Pradesh and just 4-5 km away from the Indo-China border. There was no road here 8-9 years back. After the BJP came to power, road connectivity is better and vehicles can reach here now," said Tsering Panden.
There are two roads here - one is on the upper side built Indian Army and BRO and another on the lower side which is under the state government.
"Now we can reach Jang town from here within 2 hours. Earlier, it took 3 days as we were forced to reach Jang by foot. Earlier the rate of one bag of cement here used to be Rs 1500-2000. Development is being done here at a faster rate after the BJP government came to power. We are getting lots of benefits during the Pema Khandu-led government - schools, medical buildings, circuit houses are being made here and we are getting water supply, and electricity. There are two mini hydropower projects here. Indian Army, ITBP personnel are also getting benefits after completion of this road," added Tsering Panden.
Another villager Tashi Panden said that Mago Chuna is the last border village of Arunachal Pradesh along the Indo-China border, but the state government has declared it as the first village.
A resident of Mago Chuna village, Tashi Panden said "We are Indian and we are part of India. We don't accept China's claim. Now, our lifestyle has also been changed. The road connectivity in this area has improved."
After completion of the Mago Chuna-Jang road, will also boost tourism to Mago village which is the treasure house of hot springs.
The road is strategic as it has cut short the distance to Tulung La Pass on the border of Tibet-China.
Tsering Dondu, a villager of Mago village said, "We are now getting lots of benefits from the government. Earlier, we were forced to reach Jang by foot and it had taken 3 days. Now, the road has been constructed."
"We are so happy with it, we thank our Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the Indian Army, ITBP, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The government is doing good work. We are now safe here because of the Indian Army. They support us and we also support them," Tsering Dondu said.
Dormu Tima, a girl from Mago village said that the government is doing good work for the villagers and all villagers are happy with it.
Mago is a village Panchayat in Thingbu Tehsil of Tawang district in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed development in the border areas of Mago village in the Mukto assembly constituency of Arunachal Pradesh and said that this will empower those living in border villages.
"Golden Jubilee Border Illumination Program is in sync with the vision of Hon PM Shri Narendra Modi ji that border villages aren't the last but first to be transformed. Mago village in my Mukto assembly constituency is witnessing a new dawn. As many as 50 stand-alone mini and micro hydel projects will be developed near the international border with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, ensuring 24x7 power supply to villagers and border guarding forces", Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu posted on X.
—ANI