New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Lok Sabha on the latest skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9th.
On Dec 9 in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector, PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change the status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory & forced them to go back to their post,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Parliament.
HIGHLIGHTS
- “This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guarding our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it,” Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha
- Defence Minister assured that there were no casualties in the face-off.
“In this face-off, few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I’d like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations,” Singh said.
- After this incident, on 11th Dec the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system & discussed this incident. The Chinese side refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border: Defence Minister in LS.
- Opposition leaders staged walk out from the Lok Sabha after Defence Minister’s statement.
- Defence Minister earlier had a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and Services Chiefs on the security situation along the Line of Actual Control with China.
- Leaders from Congress, AAP, Shiv Sena and RJD gave notices of short-duration discussion under rule 176 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the India-China face-off.
- Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the matter in the House.
- On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.”
- The report added that “This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.”
- Both sides disengaged from the area where the clash took place. After the incident, the sources added that India’s Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity.
- The ANI report quoting sources further added that “Indian troops in area of face-off in Tawang gave a befitting response to Chinese troops. Number of Chinese soldiers injured is more than that of Indian soldiers. Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but didn’t expect Indian side also to be well prepared.”
- The report further added that “Indian troops inured in the face-off with Chinese troops at LAC in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh have been admitted to a military hospital in Guwahati, Assam”.
- In certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh, there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area upto their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006.