PLA intrudes into Indian territory, again

Chinese troops had in July this year damaged a stone wall built 250 meters inside the Indian territory in Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh, government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

“On July 13 a PLA patrol attempted to cross a 200 feet wall of stones constructed 250 meters on our side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Yangtse area of Tawang which was prevented by our troops. The stone wall was partially damaged by PLA which has been reconstructed,” Defence minister AK Antony told Rajya Sabha said in a reply to a question.

During a subsequent flag meeting between local commanders, India has lodged a strong protest over the incident. “As per the established mechanism with China, a strong protest was lodged with the Chinese side on the action of the PLA patrol in a Flag meeting”, Antony said.

The Defence minister said as there is no commonly delineated LAC between India and China, there are a few areas along the border both countries have different perceptions of LAC. Both sides patrol upto their respective perceptions of LAC due to perceived differences in alignment of LAC.

This revelation comes a day after a section of media reported that China is going ahead with its construction plans despite India halting construction work in Demchok area after the Chinese objected to it.

Meanwhile on there side, local residents of Demchok have also protested against new bunkers being built by the Chinese, they say they fear that China may one day threaten them to flee from the area.

Replying to a question on infrastructure development along the Chinese border, he said, 10 railway and 73 roads projects have been identified in North and North-Eastern regions.

“Army has identified 73 roads as critically and strategically important. Besides this, 10 railway projects have also been identified for development in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh,” Antony said.