Staff REPORTER
Itanagar, Aug 13: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Thursday flagged off a delegation from Itanagar to Taksing in Upper Subansiri district under its “Taksing Chalo, Bharat Bachao” campaign to assess ground realities along the international border and interact with frontier communities.
The delegation, led by AAPSU general secretary Tator Mato Bui, was flagged off by AAPSU president Meje Taku from the union’s office at NEFA Club building, Itanagar.
The visit comes in the wake of concerns raised by residents of the remote border areas regarding alleged incursions and reported activities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). AAPSU said the visit is aimed at understanding the situation on the ground and highlighting the concerns and aspirations of people living in the frontier region.
Addressing the gathering during the flag-off ceremony, Taku said Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and unalienable part of India” and asserted that the people of the state would oppose any attempt to threaten the country’s territorial integrity.
The AAPSU president also called upon the Centre to strengthen infrastructure and security along the frontier, emphasising the crucial role played by residents of border villages in safeguarding the nation.
“Our frontier citizens are the vanguard of the nation, living under constant threat yet standing tall for Mother India. Through this yatra, AAPSU is sending a clear message that the youth of Arunachal stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our border communities and our armed forces,” he said.
During the visit, the delegation will interact with local communities, assess the prevailing situation in border areas, and express solidarity with the residents of the border areas.
According to AAPSU, the mission also seeks to draw the attention of the Centre and state government towards strengthening border infrastructure, security and development initiatives in the remote areas.
The delegation is scheduled to culminate its visit on August 15, when AAPSU plans to hoist the National Flag at Taksing as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
AAPSU has called upon its federal units, community-based organisations and concerned citizens, particularly those from Upper Subansiri district, to extend cooperation and participate in the initiative.
The student body said the campaign reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, with the message: “Our Borders, Our Responsibility.”