Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said he would personally verify claims of alleged Chinese incursions into the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri district.
Khandu said he would meet local residents and subsequently speak with Indian Army officials to ascertain what had actually happened in the border area.
“I have invited members of the Nah Welfare Society. I will listen to them and then speak to the Indian Army. I will verify at my level what exactly happened,” Khandu told reporters.
However, the Chief Minister said he did not believe that any Chinese incursion had taken place, asserting that Indian Army personnel deployed in the area were effectively safeguarding Indian territory.
Earlier this week, local residents alleged that Chinese forces had entered the Pukar La and Ollo areas under Taksing circle. Local authorities, however, did not confirm the allegations.
The latest claims were raised by the Nah Welfare Society, which had made similar allegations in June.
In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri district at the time, the organisation alleged that China was expanding its presence in the border areas by occupying locations in Arunachal Pradesh and constructing roads, bridges and military camps.
The society claimed that several areas traditionally used by local communities for hunting, collecting forest produce and grazing cattle had come under the alleged occupation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
According to the organisation, Chinese activities in the Taksing border areas had increased significantly over the past 10 to 15 years.
It specifically referred to places including Oying, Paniar in the Chujarta area, Marpan in Marnafe, Potrang Lake and Tindingtang, which it claimed were traditionally part of their land before 2020. Some of the locations were also described as pilgrimage sites associated with Tsari.
The organisation, however, said it continued to have faith in the Indian Army and did not question its commitment to protecting the country’s territory, while expressing concern that its efforts alone were insufficient.
The Indian Army has rejected the allegations. In a rebuttal, it said media reports claiming recent Chinese PLA encroachment and the establishment of camps in Arunachal Pradesh were “incorrect and without any basis.”
With the Chief Minister now set to speak to both local representatives and Army officials, the state government is expected to assess the claims before drawing any conclusions about the situation along the sensitive border sector.
