Salt Costs Rs 200, Cement Rs 7000 in Arunachal's Remote Vijoynagar

Guwahati, July 13, 2019:

During his speech during the ongoing budget session, Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao brought attention the the plight of people residing in Vijoy Nagar, which is the remotest Circle of Changlang district in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

This remote area is surrounded on three sides by Myanmar, while the other side is flanked by the large expanse of thick forest of Namdapha National Park. Nearby cities are Miao (157 km, 7 days walk), Hayuliang and Tezu in India. Putao (40 km) is the nearest city in Myanmar.

What is so special about this remote area bordering Myanmar, you might ask? According to the MP Gao, a bag of cement costs Rs. 700, and a bag of salt costs Rs. 200. Another village in the frontier state, Singa, is also similarly expensive (cement costs Rs. 600; salt Rs. 150).

These remote areas are constantly facing the threat of either a Chinese invasion or militancy. Vijoynagar, which is a sub-divisional town under Changlang district with just 1500 residents, has no proper surface communication and people have to walk for five days from the nearest thoroughfare in Miao to reach the town.

The MP Gao has requested that remote areas like Vijoynagar should also be included in the Rs. 5 trillion budget of the Indian Government as it should be more inclusive and incorporate the people.

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