Guwahati, June 23 (UNI) Sounding an alarm bell, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today warned that India’s arch rival China may lay its claim on the underdeveloped villages alongside Line of Actual Control in the frontier state. In an interview to the United News of India here, Mr Pul said underdevelopment in the villages near India-China border has forced scores of people to move out to urban areas in search of livelihood and it is very likely that China will stake its claim in these large tracts of open areas inhabited by fewer rustics. “China is enemy number one for Arunachal Pradesh. And the recent intrusion in border areas is an indication that they have intensified their efforts to disturb peace in the border areas. Thinly populated villages on Indian side alongside LAC is perfect fodder for them,” said Mr Pul. The pitiable condition of these villages, he added, owes much to the previous United Progressive Alliance regime reluctance not to develop the areas close to the border as it was assumed that connectivity and roads would only facilitate further incursions by the Chinese. According to official statistics, there are 1,555 villages in border blocks, administrative units that are smaller than subdivisions or districts in Arunachal Pradesh, with a population nearly of 2,71,189 people. These settlements are located at varying distances from the confusing Line of Actual Control which is supposed to demarcate the boundary between India and China. Mr Pul, who became the eight chief minister of the state in mid February after defecting from Congress and formed the government with the support of BJP legislators in the state, urged the National Democratic Alliance dispensation to release more funds for the development of these border villages and accord them utmost priority considering the safety and security of Arunachal Pradesh as well as of India. “Government of India should not be rigid on following set procedure while releasing funds for these border areas where population is very less. These villages are also not covered under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana,” said Mr Pul, who hails from a village bordering China. Mr Pul said that foot patrolling in these frontier areas is a treacherous job and the government should focus on developing infrastructure such as roads and power in these border villages to ensure safety of the country. UNI ABI RP1605