Arunachal condemned Chinese action of issuing stapled visas

Itanagar, Jul 21 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government
on Thursday sharply criticised the Chinese embassy in India
for issuing stapled visas to a team of karatekas from the
state and asked the central government to take up the issue at
the highest level.
The team on its way to Quanghou City in Fujjian province
of China were prevented by Indian immigration officials from
boarding their flight at the IGI airport in New Delhi last
night for possessing stapled visas issued by the Chinese
embassy.
Stapled visas were issued despite the embassy after a
prolonged discussion with Indian authorities had agreed to
issue regular visas to the Arunachalee Karatekas.
Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin said, "We do acknowledge
there has been an ongoing process of deliberations on the
border issue with China. But when it is an accepted fact that
Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, it is
inexplicable why China continues to issue stapled visas to our
citizens."
Gamlin said the Centre must not only come out with a
strong protest over the 'violation of Arunachalees' right to
express their citizenship', it must also take all measures to
ensure that this 'insulting practice' was taken up at the
highest level apart from coming out with a clear policy stand.
The five-member team including coach Langkung Marik and
official Likha Tara were on their way to take part in the
Asian Karate-do championship (Junior and Cadet) from July 20
to 25.
The karatekas in the team included Likha Lej (52 kg cadet
boys), Tage Saa (65 kg junior boys) and Rei Yadi (53 kg junior
girls).
The Chinese action drew sharp reaction from the state MPs
and student's organisations.
Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy said he would meet the
Prime Minister to appraise him of the feeling in his state
while Rajya Sabha Member Mukut Mithi demanded that the Centre
prohibit all Indians to visit China.
"New Delhi should either put a ban on Indians from
visiting China or allow Arunachalees to visit the country with
stapled visas," Mithi said.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) termed
the latest development as a setback for the state's sports
fraternity.
In 1983, Arunachal Pradesh Assembly speaker T L Rajkumar
was refused visa on the ground that he did not require visa
being a Chinese.
In 2007, China had denied visa to senior IAS officer
Gonesh Koyu who was a member of a 107-strong IAS officers'
team on a management programme to China. The study visit was
cancelled at the intervention of the then Prime Minister.
In the same year, India had to drop four Arunachalees –
Lohit legislator C P Namchoom, IAS officers Tajom Taloh and
Tape Bagra and an officer Tasso Butung from an official
48-member delegation that visited China at the invitation of
vice-director general of the Science and Technology Bureau in
Weifang in Shandong province.