Arunachal CM inaugurates newly created Bichom dist

Itanagar, Mar 7   Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday inaugurated the newly formed Bichom district, which was carved out of West Kameng and East Kameng districts, in a ceremony at Nafra in presence of Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju and other dignitaries.
With this, the total number of districts in Arunachal Pradesh increased to 27. The State Assembly had on February 8 last passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Re-organisation of Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for creation of Bichom district along with Keyi Panyor (which has already been inaugurated on March 1).
On the occasion, Khandu handed over the insignias bearing Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) logos signifying the transfer of responsibilities for the new district to in-charge DC Akriti Sagar and SP Sudhanshu Dhama, and laid foundation for the new district headquarters at Napangphung.
Congratulating the people of the newly created district, Khandu said that the aspiration, which had been lingering since 1984, has been fulfilled today. “Honouring voices of diverse communities, we have fulfilled the long-standing demand of creation of the district, pending since 1984,” he said.
Recounting the past, Khandu informed that the demand for Bichom district originated in 1984, however, it came officially to the fore after formation of the Bichom District Demand Committee in 1996 under the chairmanship of Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Nafra.
“While Bichom district issue kept pending, we created four new districts elsewhere. These are Pakke Kessang, Kamle, Leparada and Shi-Yomi. I must acknowledge and commend the contributions of MLAs Mama Natung, Goruk Pordung and Dongru Siongju that finally made Bichom district a reality,” he said.
Khandu assured support in creation of infrastructure for the new district headquarters and also promised that all existing infrastructure and assets now being transferred to Bichom district from East Kameng will be replaced with new ones.
The new district will bring far-flung areas under easy accessibility and acceleration of economic development through various government initiatives benefitting the Miji, Sajolang, Aka (Koro) and Puroik communities, he said.
Reportedly 27 villages of West Kameng’s Nafra, Khazalang and Sirilang circles will be merged with Bichom district, and 28 villages from East Kameng’s Lada and Bana circles.
Khandu informed that one village that was left out of Bichom district in the original amendment has been rectified through an Ordinance and will now be a part of the new district.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister flagged off vehicles distributed to beneficiary SHGs under Arunachal Grameen Express Yojana, and laid the foundation of 18 projects and inaugurated equal number of projects.
Besides distributing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to the beneficiaries at Nafra, he also inaugurated the Multi Technology Testing Centre and Administrative building of Central Agricultural University (Imphal), stating that these projects will further contribute to the development of the region.
Also present on the occasion were Forest & Environment Minister Mama Natung, MLAs Dongru Siongju, Goruk Pordung, Hayeng Mangfi, Nyato Dukam, Phurpa Tsering, Kumsi Sidisow and Dorjee Wangdi Kharma, besides the representatives of Sajolang Elite Society, Aka Welfare Society, Puroik Welfare Society and East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organization.