It's do or die now, say Arunachal Cong rebels

The political situation in Arunachal Pradesh has snowballed to a point of desperation and there is no question of turning back, say dissidents of the state's ruling Congress party, bringing out into the open the revolt against state chief minister Jarbom Gamlin. Sanjib Kr Baruah reports.

The political situation in Arunachal Pradesh has snowballed to a point of desperation and there is no question of turning back, say dissidents of the state's ruling Congress party, bringing out into the open the revolt against state chief minister Jarbom Gamlin.

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"It is a do-or-die situation now. We are also deliberating on the way forward in case our demands are not addressed," said Chowna Mein, social welfare minister.

Demanding urgent intervention by the party high command, Takam Sanjoy, one of the two Lok Sabha MPs from Arunachal, told HT: "There is no other possibility for resolution of issues other than a change of leadership. The high command should take serious note before things go from bad to worse."

Arunachal shares sensitive international border with Bhutan, China and Myanmar and is a regularly used route by the northeastern insurgent groups to sneak in arms.

"The situation if allowed to worsen will have huge ramifications for both internal and external security of the country," said Padi Richo, MLA.

Meanwhile the governance of the hilly state is in a stalemate.

Led by state party chief and PWD minister Nabam Tuki, about 24 MLAs have been camping in the capital since July 23, demanding the removal of Gamlin. This group includes four ministers.