SMRF is also vehemently opposed to the barrage sites of Tawang-I and II projects. According to the group, these projects will damage a site called Tongsheng, associated with Guru Padmasambhava, the ‘second Buddha’, and another sacred spot called Shangkya, respectively.
The prolonged stir in Assam against the 2,000-MW Lower Subansiri hydropower project in Arunachal has halted construction of the dam.
Security experts feel the Centre cannot afford to take any issue of public grievance in Tawang lightly as this quaint and picturesque border town is one of the most strategically important locations in the country. Tawang was one of the stages on which the India-China war of 1962 played out.
“We cannot wish away the recent incident in Tawang as a law and order problem. We have to gauge all aspects with sensitivity, address the problem of development and fulfil the aspirations of the people,” a senior security expert said.
On Wednesday, an eerie silence prevailed across Tawang town even as preparations were on for the funeral of the two activists killed in police firing on Monday. Gyatso said the two will be cremated according to Buddhist rites on Thursday. A large number of Buddhist monks, activists and common people are expected to attend.
“We will take the bodies to Tawang monastery where prayers will be held for them. Then, we will take the funeral procession to a ground close to Tawang monastery where the cremation will be performed,” Gyatso said.
“The situation is under control. Postmortem of the two bodies is still on,” Tawang deputy commissioner Duly Kamduk said.
The deployment of the Army, too, has caused much heartburn in this peaceful town. Residents of Tawang, mainly Buddhists, are known for their peace-loving nature and pro-India sentiment despite being claimed by China as its own.
“The killing of two unarmed persons will remain a blot on the minds of our Buddhist people. We are very peace-loving,” Tawang-based social activist Jamphel Tsewang said.
