Arunachal to build a memorial to Army officer who brought Tawang under India

From Bhupen Goswami

GUWAHATI : As soon as the Chinese government considers Arunachal Pradesh as its part and China has been saying that it does not consider Arunachal as part of India, it is an area of southern Tibet in China. In this case, for 70 years, China has been engaged in a battle with India, at that time, the Arunachal government has taken a very important principle. The Arunachal government has decided to create a memorial to the Army officer who won Tawang from China in 951 on behalf of India. The Army Jawan, who had shown red eyes to the Chinese government in Tawang, Arunachal And the small squad hoisted the tricolour, the Arunachal government will set up its monument.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said that his government will set up a monument in remembrance of Major Bob Kething of the Army, who established India’s administrative control with a small squad of soldiers at Tawang on the border with China in 1951. Khandu said the foundation stone for the memorial will be laid in Tawang on February 14. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu warned the Chinese government that every citizen of Arunachal is ready to protect the nation and the Indian citizen will never forgive China, which considers Arunachal Pradesh as its part. It is understood that on 14th February itself, major Kething had unfurled the Indian tricolour 70 years ago. He said that the location for the memorial of the army officer from Manipur will be selected by the Tawang district administration.

The chief minister said, “Many of us are not aware of major kething and their contribution to Arunachal Pradesh. Once the monument is built, the visitors will be aware of them and they will also be able to know about monpa. There will also be a monument in Tawang as well as a museum of local Monpa tribals. Sources said, Britain had signed the Shimla Treaty with China and Tibet in 1914 after which the locality had arrived in British India. However, the government at that time could not bring it under its administrative control for various reasons. Major Kething, who fought in the Second World War, was appointed as an assistant political officer in the Tarp division of the North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA) in November 1950.

Nefa later became Arunachal Pradesh. Sources said, after receiving instructions from the government, a squad of major kething and Assam Rifles started their journey from Charera on 17th January 1951 and reached Tawang on February 6. Then the temperature was below zero. He said that after interacting with the local village heads, he established India’s administrative control in the area. The decision of the Arunachal Pradesh government has been welcomed by the Indian Army chief. He said that this will be a very good job for the morale of the Indian Army. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have also praised the government of Arunachal Pradesh.