Reports of Chinese PLA presence in Arunachal ‘baseless’: Indian Army

The Indian Army has firmly denied reports alleging that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently encroached into Arunachal Pradesh or set up camps there. The Army termed such claims, based on a local organisation’s memorandum citing PLA infrastructure near Taksing in Upper Subansiri district, as “incorrect and without any basis.”

Itanagar: The Indian Army on Monday categorically denied media reports claiming that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had recently set up camps or encroached into Arunachal Pradesh, describing the reports as “incorrect and without any basis”.

In a rebuttal issued late on Monday night, the Army 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.”

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Earlier in the day, some media reports, quoting a local organisation, alleged that the PLA had gradually expanded its infrastructure inside Indian territory near the Taksing circle in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district.

According to reports, the local organisation submitted a detailed memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri district, alleging that Chinese forces had established roads, bridges, and military camps in several locations traditionally used by local communities for cattle grazing, hunting, and the collection of forest produce.

The reports further claimed that the alleged Chinese activities had intensified over the past 10 to 15 years, with a noticeable increase after 2020.

Quoting the local organisation, the reports said areas which residents had traditionally accessed for hunting, cattle grazing, collection of forest produce and other community activities were now under the control of the Chinese military.

The organisation identified five locations where it claimed Chinese infrastructure had been established – Oying (Asaphila area), Paniar (Chujarta area), Marpan (Marnafe), Potrang Lake and Tindingtang (TG).

The local organisation reportedly stated: “We do not doubt our Indian Army and always have faith in them. They have been guarding our land for many years, but their efforts are not enough. The intent and speed of the Chinese PLA’s current activities at Taksing are very alarming. We are losing our land inch by inch day by day.”

However, the Indian Army rejected the allegations, maintaining that the 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).