Itanagar, June 21 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday handed over compensation cheques worth Rs 19 crore to villagers of Chuna in Tawang district for land acquisition related to the Damteng-Chuna road project and for land acquired by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Terming the compensation as a key step towards inclusive development, Khandu said, “This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to ensure that development reaches even the remotest frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh.”

The compensation disbursement followed the International Yoga Day celebrations held at Chuna, located at an altitude of 3,950 meters near the Indo-Tibet border. The programme was graced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and State Minister Kento Jini, along with senior officials from the district administration.

Earlier in the day, Khandu participated in the Yoga Day programme with villagers and security personnel. “As the local MLA, it was important for me to interact directly with the people of Chuna, hear their concerns, and understand their aspirations firsthand,” he said, following an extended interaction with local residents.

The Chief Minister also visited the jawans of the Arunachal Scouts stationed at the border outpost and expressed pride in their service.

“I was deeply impressed by the courage and dedication of our own boys, sons of Arunachal, serving Maa Bharti in some of the harshest terrains with unmatched dedication,” he noted.

The visit reaffirmed the state government’s focus on border area development and integration of frontier communities into the mainstream, officials said.

UNI TD GNK