Army denies Chinese intrusion into Arunachal

Bumla (Indo-Sino border), June 1: Rubbishing recent media reports over alleged Chinese intrusion in Tawang and Upper Subansiri districts of Arunachal Pradesh, the Army today clarified that no such move has been reported since 1986 by the neighbouring nation.

Addressing media persons immediately after the Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) held here today, Brigadier Sanjay Kulkarni said that perfect harmony existed between the two nations and nullified the baseless reports.

The statement came in the backdrop of rumours doing the rounds that China occupied 20 kms of Indian territory at Tawang sector and 8 kms at Taksing in Upper Subansiri district.

Brigadier Kulkarni, however, admitted that an Indian Parliamentary delegation would be arriving here tomorrow.

Mysteriously, the said delegation had sidelined all the three MP's of this frontier state drawing flak from Lok Sabha MP Kiren Rijiju, who would raise the matter in the highest forum.

''It is unfortunate that our local MPs have been sidelined and not taken into confidence for such an important trip. I will make sure to raise the matter in the Parliament,'' said Kiren over telephone from the national capital.

Further clarifying about the mission, Brigadier Kulkarni feigned ignorance about the trip and said probably it was a regular exercise.

However, Army sources here criticised the politicization of such sensitive issue and hoped the central policy makers would see reason in the interest of the country.

UNI