As tensions rise, India says change in status quo by China at LAC is not acceptable
New Delhi, May 24: The People's Liberation Army of China has deployed additional troops along the disputed boundary with India.
Even as the military officials of both countries have been in talks, they were unable to diffuse the standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In response to China's move, India too sent reinforcements. While there have been no skirmishes between the two nations, the tensions were visibly high.
Indian Army dismisses reports of detention of Indian soldiers by China
The build up started after the PLA personnel attacked the Indian Army soldiers with sticks and stones on May 5. India has maintained that its forces are well within its territory. The Chinese Army in fact had started building a bunker in order to restrict access to an area where Indian soldiers regularly patrol.
A top official confirmed to OneIndia that the action was trigged by the Chinese army after the Indian Army built a road a few months back. This road was built to link India's military base at Daulat Beg Oldie with a village close to Pangog Two lake along with a bride over a rivulet near by. This had the Chinese army presuming that the Indian Army was preparing for a military move, the source cited above also said.
Meanwhile India's Army Chief General M M Naravane visited the XIV headquarters in Leh and reviewed the situation. It may be recalled that the Ministry of External Affairs had hit back at Beijing over the developments at the LAC. The MEA said that it is the Chinese side that had recently undertaken activity hindering India's normal patrolling patterns. We are deeply committed to ensuring India's sovereignty and security, the Ministry had also said.
Sources said that the Chinese soldiers had crossed the LAC at the Hot Springs and in two locations 20 kilometres to the north-west, Patrolling Pint 14 and PP 15.
At each of these points, around 800 Chinese soldiers have crossed over to the Indian side of the LAC. Tents have also been pitched by the Chinese soldiers, the source further added. The Indian forces have also been monitoring Chinese helicopters close to the LAC.
While the two sides are not technically in a face off, India soldiers in equal numbers have been deployed on the area and are separated by 500 metres.
Pak army shells three sectors along LoC
India
maintains
that
a
distance
is
being
maintained
to
avoid
a
situation
which
erupted
on
May
5.
While
maintaining
that
the
situation
is
unprecedented,
India
believes
that
there
ought
to
be
a
solution
soon.
The
change
in
the
status
quo
by
China
is
not
acceptable,
India
also
maintains.
India
has
also
pointed
out
that
there
has
been
a
marked
increase
in
the
number
of
Chinese
transgressions
along
the
LAC.