Arunachal crisis: Governor takes reins, assures security to MLAs

Itanagar: After proclamation of President's Rule, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa has assured MLAs that they will be provided security which they are entitled to.

The Governor convened a meeting of senior officers of the state and advised them to ensure that there was no law and order problem in the state.

Laws must be enforced in letter and spirit for safeguarding the interest of the common people, the governor told the officials including Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi in the meeting last evening, a Raj Bhawan release said on  Wednesday.

Stressing on security coverage for former chief minister and ministers, Rajkhowa said that nobody should have any problem in this regard and all the members of the State Assembly would get security cover as per entitlement.

Rebellion in Congress had precipitated a political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh after its 21 MLAs, up in arms against the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, joined hands with 11 of BJP and two independents to 'impeach' the then Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue, a move branded as "illegal and unconstitutional" by the Speaker.

27 MLAs in 60-member Assembly, including Tuki and his ministerial colleagues, boycotted the proceedings. The rebels later "elected" another dissident Congressman Kalikho Pul as the new "chief minister" of the state.

Union Cabinet had recommended imposition of President's Rule on Sunday in Congress-ruled Arunachal Pradesh, and the President gave his assent yesterday. The Centre has also appointed former Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal and retired IAS officer G S Patnaik as advisors to the Governor.

Rajkhowa instructed the chief secretary to issue a circular to all departments and offices to maintain transparency in decision making and execution of various works and take firm action against corruption.

On financial matters, the governor advised the officers to give priority on payment of salaries, allowances and pensions as well as establishment expenses and underscored that the development process must not suffer, but should be expedited.

The governor also assured the officers that any financial issue or other subject pending with the central government will be soon taken up to expedite the process of development in the state.

Putting road communication as one of the top priorities, the governor asked the PWD Commissioner to complete the road repair works in the twin cities of Intanagar-Naharlagun and also important roads to Doimukh, Chimpu, Poma-Jotte and Nirjuli besides those in other districts and sub-divisions immediately.

He also asked the commissioners and secretaries for furnishing replies to all pending queries sent from Raj Bhavan on matters of public interest at the earliest, the release said.

He appealed to the people of the state "to carry on normal duties and in case of any difficulty, they might refer the matter to the Governor Secretariat".

He also appealed to the people for cooperation in expediting the developmental works and to maintain communal harmony.