Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, August 11, said border communities were the “first line of strength” and stressed that their security, welfare and development must remain a priority amid renewed concerns over alleged Chinese activity in the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri district.
Khandu made the remarks after meeting representatives of the Mra Welfare Society of Upper Subansiri to discuss their concerns and development priorities, particularly the need to improve infrastructure and connectivity in remote frontier areas.
“Our border communities are our first line of strength. Their security, welfare and development must come first,” Khandu said in a social media post.
The meeting came amid allegations by the Nah Welfare Society (NWS) of fresh movement of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel near the Line of Actual Control in the Taksing sector.
The NWS has alleged that Chinese troops moved towards areas near Yaja and Togo villages before advancing towards Pukar La and Ollo, coming within around 15-16 km of the settlements through the Ollo stream. The organisation has also claimed increased deployment of the Indian Army in the area and alleged contact between Indian and Chinese troops.
The Indian Army, however, has rejected reports of fresh Chinese encroachment in the region, describing the allegations as “incorrect and without any basis”.
Khandu had earlier said on August 7 that the state government would verify the allegations in consultation with the Army and local residents before reaching any conclusion. He had also said he would personally meet members of the Nah Welfare Society and speak to the Indian Army to establish the facts.
The chief minister had expressed confidence in the Army’s deployment along the frontier, saying the force was effectively carrying out its responsibility of guarding the country’s borders.
The controversy first surfaced in June when the NWS submitted a representation to the Upper Subansiri district administration alleging that PLA personnel had expanded their presence in strategically significant areas around Taksing, including Oying in the Asaphila region, Paniar, Marpan, Potrang and Tindingtang.
The organisation further alleged that roads, bridges and military camps had been established in areas traditionally used by local communities for hunting, grazing and collecting forest produce.
The Army rejected the allegations, while the state government appealed to people against circulating unverified information and said security agencies were closely monitoring developments along the frontier.
The issue has continued to attract political attention. On Monday, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) released the findings of a four-member fact-finding committee, which described the alleged PLA intrusions in the Taksing area as “inexplicable yet irrefutable”.
Against this backdrop, Khandu’s meeting with representatives of the Mra Welfare Society focused on the development requirements of Upper Subansiri, with particular emphasis on strengthening border infrastructure and improving connectivity in the remote frontier areas.
