Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said that his government is taking all necessary steps to improve the relation between the Indian Army, local administration and the state police.
Commenting on the recent Bomdila incident involving Indian Army and the police, the chief minister who was here at IG Park to attend the 46th Raising Day of Arunachal Pradesh Police on Thursday said that “the incident was unfortunate”.
“A monthly sitting will be held between the Army and the State police for maintaining harmonious relation and to resolve issues,” Khandu said and directed the State police head to ensure that all essential steps be taken so that relations with the armed forces are maintained.
Some soldiers had allegedly vandalised the Bomdila police station and assaulted police personnel and civilians on November 2 last. Bomdila, the district headquarters or West Kameng is around 270.4 kms from here.
The incident happened when a group of soldiers allegedly misbehaved with civilians and police personnel at the Buddha Mahotsav celebrations in Bomdila, officials said.
Following this, the local Station House Officer went to the spot and two soldiers were brought to police station.
After that some soldiers allegedly vandalized the Bomdila police station, assaulted police personnel and civilians, they said.
Meanwhile, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took stock of the situation arising out of clashes between Army and Arunachal Pradesh Police personnel in Bomdila.
“The Defence Minister (Sitharaman) and I looked into the ongoing conflict between the Army and State police personnel. I appeal everyone not to treat it as Army versus police and civil administration issue,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju, who hails also from Arunachal Pradesh, said the unfortunate incident that happened at Bomdila should be settled amicably through proper understanding.
“Both the Army and the police are serving the nation with utmost dedication. An incident can’t be allowed to tarnish the image of the great institutions,” he said.
Both Sitharaman and Rijiju later also met members of the civil society as part of confidence building measures.