The Indian Army on Monday denied reports of alleged encroachments by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and setting up camps in Arunachal Pradesh.
“We have seen some media reports alleging encroachments by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army recently and the establishment of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and have no basis,” the Indian Army said in a statement carried by ANI.
The Army’s statement comes after the Nah Social Welfare Society (NWS), a community in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner alleging that Chinese troops have expanded their presence in the border areas.
In a letter dated June 26, the civil society identified five sites allegedly under Chinese occupation. The association said the People’s Liberation Army has occupied large parts of grazing, hunting and traditional agricultural lands used by the tribal community over the past six years.
This development comes weeks after India and China held the 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing. The Foreign Ministry said the discussions were constructive and forward-looking.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the situation in the Indo-China border areas and expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas.
Earlier in the day, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that the situation on the Line of Actual Control between the two countries is stable but sensitive.
While speaking in an interview with NDTV, the Army Chief said that the Indian Army maintains a strong deployment posture to deter threats and respond to emergencies. He added that tensions between the two countries showed signs of easing.
