To counter Chinese incursions, Pokhriyal demands Mountain Security Force

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Monday demanded the formation of a new Mountain Security Force on the lines of the Coast Guards to maintain security on borders along the mountains.

Speaking to ANI, Pokhriayal said: "I demand the formation of a Mountain Security Force for guarding the borders along the mountains, on the lines of the Coast Guard."

His demand came days after he revealed that the Uttarakhand Government had mentioned that the Chinese were entering Indian territory in the state.

"I mentioned this matter with Prime Minister during the Chief Minister's conference on internal security," Pokhriyal said.

"The Chinese are taking advantage of our traditional trade relations with the Tibet, and they have entered Indian territory in civil dress again and again, using the traditional trade routes linked with Tibet," Pokhriyal said.

Uttarakhand shares a 2,75 kilometre-long mountain border with China and 250 kilometre long border with Nepal.

India has two exclusive border guarding forces-the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) for the security along the Indo-China and Indo- Tibet borders respectively.

On Sunday Pokhriyal, quoting reports from locals in Rimkhim in Chamoli district, of Uttarakhand said the Chinese had entered the state on September 5 and left behind biscuit packet wrappers and cigarettes. By Shreeraj Gudi (ANI)