Arunachal CM Khandu Denies Reports of Fresh Chinese PLA Incursion in Upper Subansiri

ITANAGAR:
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, on Friday denied media reports claiming fresh incursion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the state, saying that he would speak to both the Indian Army and local organisations to ascertain the facts.

Media reports claimed that fresh allegations of Chinese incursions have emerged from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, with local residents alleging that Chinese troops recently crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and entered areas near Pukar La and Ollo in the remote Taksing circle. Talking to the media, the Chief Minister said that he did not think any such incursion was taking place, as the Indian Army has been effectively guarding the border and maintaining the security of Indian territory.

“I have invited the local people and the local organisation of that area. I wanted to listen to their views. I would also talk to the Army to know the situation there and what exactly happened,” Khandu said. Following similar media reports in June about an alleged Chinese PLA incursion in areas of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, the Indian Army had dismissed the claims.

In a rebuttal issued in the last week of June, the Army had said: “We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by the Chinese PLA and the setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis.”

Neither the district administration nor the security agencies have officially confirmed the latest claims made by local residents alleging that such incursions have taken place. The media reports claimed that local residents and civil society members had alleged that the Chinese PLA was steadily moving closer to villages in the region, raising concerns among people living in the remote border areas. The latest allegations have surfaced two months after a local NGO made similar claims in June, accusing the PLA of expanding its presence in areas near the Taksing circle in Upper Subansiri district.

However, the Indian Army had rejected those allegations, maintaining that reports suggesting recent Chinese encroachment and the establishment of PLA camps in Arunachal Pradesh were unfounded. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km-long border with Tibet (China).