Dharamshala — The state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India has officially adopted the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Act for Tibetans residing in the state, created by the Central Government of India in 2014.
Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh wrote to Tibetan President Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, formally announcing the act's adoption, saying, “I am happy to inform you that in the cabinet meeting convened by me on 12 August 2017, I along with my colleagues decided to adopt and extend the Tibetan rehabilitation policy 2014 in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
“As you are aware, Arunachal Pradesh has the fourth largest number of Tibetans in India. We have four Tibetan settlements Tezu, Miao, Tuting and Tenzingang. Therefore, in order to provide better opportunities to Tibetan youths residing in Arunachal Pradesh, my cabinet resolved to implement the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 as framed by the union Government of India,” he added.
Thanking the Chief Minister, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay responded, “I thank my dear friend Shri Pema Khandu who is an ardent follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and life long friend of the Tibetan people. The state of Arunachal Pradesh shares an unshakeable and historic bond with the Tibetan people. This gesture will further strengthen this bond of friendship and affinity between the two.”
Arunachal's adoption of the policy follows the implemention in two of the largest Tibetan settlements locating in Karnataka, Mundgod and Hunsur, both of which also officially signed land lease agreements, ensuring the sustenance of Tibetan settlements.
