Arunachal: Cabinet nod to create Keyi Panyor and Bichom as new districts

Guwahati: The cabinet in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday approved the creation of Keyi Panyor and Bichom as two new districts.

The district — Keyi Panyor will be created by bifurcating it from the Lower Subansiri district, with its headquarters in Yachuli Circle (Ter Gapin-Sam Sath area).

Addressing media persons, government spokesman Bamang Felix said, “The state cabinet has taken a major decision to create two new districts under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu — Keyi Panyor and Bichom.”

“With the creation of Keyi Panyor district, the state cabinet has decided that the traditional boundaries shall be respected and prevailed upon by both the communities in the public interest,” he said.

Keyi Panyor has six administrative centres — Yachuli (ADC), Yazali, Paramputu (CO), Kora, Deed, and Pistana (CO) — with a population of 25,399, as per the 2011 census.

Felix also said that Bichom district will be carved out of East Kameng and West Kameng districts, with Napangphung as its headquarters.

“Bichom district is being created to bring far-flung areas under easy accessibility and acceleration of economic development through the Seva Aapke Dwar initiative,” he said, adding that the demand for the creation of Bichom district “is an old demand, since 1984.”

“Subsequent demands were made in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2015 and 2016, and it would benefit three communities: Sajolang, Puroik, and Aka (Koro),” Felix added.

The state cabinet also approved funding the Eklavya Model Residential School in Bana (E/Kameng).

It added that “the existing Bana EAC headquarters will remain an EAC headquarters, without being demoted to the status of a circle office.”

Bichom district has an area of 2,897 square kilometres, and a population of 9,710, as per the 2011 census. “It will comprise three assembly constituencies: Nafra-Bomdila in West Kameng district, and Bameng and West Seppa in East Kameng district,” the cabinet said.

Twenty-seven villages of West Kameng will be merged with Bichom district (11 from Nafra ADC HQ, nine from Khazalang CO HQ, and seven from Sirilang Circle HQ. From East Kameng, 28 villages will be merged with the new district (17 from Lada Circle HQ, and 11 from Bana EAC HQ).

WRD Minister Mama Natung in his address said that “the government has agreed to the proposals of the land-affected people. Respecting the sentiments of the Nyishi people residing in the Bana area, the government has agreed to fulfil all the proposals submitted by the land-affected people and the East Kameng Middle Zone Students’ Union (EKMZSU).”

He appealed to the EKMZSU to call off its agitation as the government has agreed to address its demands.