Itanagar, February 5: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called for a serious, timely, and consultative approach to address the long-standing issues faced by the residents of Vijaynagar. He referred to them as the ‘guardians of Vijaynagar,’ who have protected one of the state’s most remote borders for generations.
Khandu made these remarks during the screening of the documentary film “The Untold Story of Vijaynagar,” produced by Papai Nalo Films, held at the Banquet Hall of Niti Vihar. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, ministers, legislators, and other distinguished guests.
While praising filmmaker Papai Nalo and his team, Khandu noted that the documentary compellingly presents the historical context, sacrifices, and unresolved grievances of the people settled in Vijaynagar since the 1960s.
“This film is not just a documentation; it is the voice of those who have no voice,” he stated, highlighting that the production involved nearly two years of extensive field research.
Recalling his visits to Vijaynagar, Khandu mentioned that the area was never unfamiliar to him, as he had traveled there by helicopter and later faced challenging road conditions.
He emphasized, “The lack of connectivity and basic facilities is evident. Without roads and access, development remains incomplete.”
Khandu acknowledged that both the central and state governments have failed to adequately address the real issues faced by the settlers, many of whom were former Assam Rifles personnel promised resettlement assurances that were never fully realized.
He pointed out issues such as premature retirement, denial of retirement benefits, land security concerns, and the identity crisis faced by subsequent generations despite their educational achievements.
Highlighting recent legal developments, Khandu referred to a 2025 High Court ruling directing the state government to resolve land-related issues for the settlers.
He informed that the Land Department and the Deputy Commissioner of Changlang district, Vishal Sah, are already working in this direction and assured that the state’s Chief Secretary, Manish Kumar Gupta, would be instructed to expedite the process.