GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh Congress president and former education minister Bosiram Siram on Monday alleged that Chinese troops have intruded 40 to 50 km deep into Indian territory in Upper Subansiri district.However, denying the claim, CM Pema Khandu said he did not believe any incursion was taking place.Siram said a Congress delegation led by him visited border areas from Aug 26 to 29, travelling from Itanagar via Nacho to Limeking and Taksing, and spoke with local residents. The delegation included Congress working president and former home minister Tanga Byaling and Upper Subansiri MP Jarodum Kri.Thorough probe must be conducted: SiramThe Chinese PLA have already advanced 40 to 50 km into Indian territory. Today, Chinese PLA personnel are stationed up there, at intervals. You can see the Army. They are on top of the mountains, while we are down below,” Siram said.In June, a local group, Nah Welfare Society, first raised the flag saying the PLA had expanded its presence near Taksing, a claim that the Indian Army said was “incorrect and without any basis”. In Aug, a People’s Party of Arunachal team claimed that Indian patrols were being denied access to key points.Union minister Kiren Rijiju rejected a 60-km intrusion claim, but acknowledged increased Chinese activity on the high ridges.Responding to govt’s denials, Siram asked, “If no intrusion or aggressive activity has occurred on the border, why are residents repeatedly raising these complaints? Instead of brushing off these allegations merely as rumours, a thorough and impartial factual investigation must be conducted.”Siram also cited recent remarks by ITBP Director General Shatrujit Singh Kapoor on face-off locations, and said the ground reality reported by locals warrants a transparent, high-level probe by the Centre and the defence ministry.“Serious border-related issues should not be ignored by dismissing them as allegations or rumours. The facts must be established to ensure the security of the country’s borders and protect the rights and livelihoods of people living in border areas,” he said.“Entire areas have reportedly disappeared from the online maps and have come under its control. The whole of Asaphila has come under its control. And the strategically important areas, including the high ground, have already been taken over by China. They are under Chinese occupation.“We are seriously concerned about the Chinese incursions and the situation along the India-China border. During our visit to the border areas, we found that the situation needs to be examined carefully,” Siram added.He alleged that aggressive activity by the Chinese PLA has disrupted lives and traditional livelihoods of locals.“The central govt and the ministry of defence must take immediate steps to ensure border security and protect the rights, livelihoods and traditionally used areas of residents….,” he said.
