Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein inaugurated a slew of infrastructure projects in Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap district on Friday.
Mein inaugurated two police stations (one upgraded), office building of the Hydropower electro-mechanical assistant engineer and an indigenous culture center.
The upgraded police station at Khonsa has been executed by the rural works department under the Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) action plan and funded by Union Ministry of Home Affairs at an estimated cost of Rs 5.25 crore.
The new police station at Katang, which was virtually inaugurated, has also been executed by the rural works department and funded by MHA at an estimated cost of Rs 10.03 crore.
The indigenous culture centre namely Khathak Rang Rangsom Hum has been constructed by the department of Indigenous Affairs at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.
Congratulating the people especially the members of the Tirap Indigenous Society, Mein urged all to preserve, protect and promote traditional cultures and traditions for posterity.
He disclosed that the department of indigenous affairs has planned to construct at least two indigenous culture centres in 25 districts of the state.
Follwing the inauguration, Mein and other dignitaries took part in a mass prayer, purification and spiritual healing led by Rangfra society of Changlang and members of the Tirap Indigenous People Society (TIPS).
He praised the Rangfra healers locally known as Kechu and shared his experience of healing sick person.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the TIPS, the deputy chief minister announced Rs 10 lakh for construction of a building for priests and Chowkidar for the Rangsom Hum complex.
PHE and Water Sanitation minister and also TIPS chief patron Wangki Lowang demanded a national highway from Margherita-Deomali-Khela-Kolagaon as there is no package except the Trans Arunachal Highway.
He said the proposed road will connect the existing Changlang-Khonsa TAH road and a proposal has already been submitted to the government for approval.
Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh vice president Bai Taba lauded the district administration and the executing agency for the timely completion of the indigenous culture centre.
With the inauguration of the centre, he said indigenous people of Tirap would be able to perform various activities.
Lok Sabha member Tapir Gao, MLAs Wanglin Lowangdong, Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Wanglam Sawin, Chakat Aboh, Tirap deputy commissioner Taro Mize and other senior district officials attended the event.
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