Third AAP Bn sought

Our correspondent

Itagar, March 30: The All Aruchal Pradesh Border Students’ Union (AAPBSU) in a representation to the chief secretary has sought immediate creation of the third batch of the Aruchal Armed Police Battalion (AAP Bn), which had been cleared from administrative reform by the Cabinet approval in 2010 under the then Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu. The union stated that the State government raised the State police armed battalion in 1998 as the first Aruchal Armed Battalion. Subsequently, in 1989, the second Aruchal Pradesh Armed Police Battalion was formed with the same strength and pattern as the first AAP Bn batch.

“However, after raising the first and the second battalions, the State government did not take any further step to raise more battalions in the State till today, and consequently there is a shortage of forces at the border areas,” it said, adding that the personnel appointed in the rank of constable in the first and second batches are still in the same rank despite serving 25 years in their job.

It further claimed that most of the AAP Bn personnel are posted in Papum Pare and West Siang districts, even though there is a shortage of AAP Bn personnel at the boundaries and disputed areas.