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ITBP Guards Indo-China Border, None Can Take An Inch: Shah

By LokMarg 31st December 2022

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that he is never worried about the India-China border as he knows that the ITBP personnel is guarding the borders there and “because of this, no one can occupy even an inch of India’s land”.

Shah was speaking at the inauguration of newly constructed buildings of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) here in Karnataka’s Devanhalli region and laying the foundation stone for a Central Detective Training Institute (CDTI) of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
In his address, the Home Minister lauded the Himveers of ITBP for their dedicated service to the nation and said the government has been undertaking all possible steps to make the service conditions of the jawans better.

He said that ITBP serves in very difficult conditions and the nation knows the jawans as ‘Himveers’.

“The ITBP has been doing yeomen service to the Nation by keeping the toughest borders on the Himalayas safe in inhospitable conditions,” said the Home Minister.

“People have bestowed ITBP jawans the title of ‘Himveer’ which is bigger than Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan.”

Shah said: “No one can occupy even an inch of India’s land as he knows that the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel are guarding the frontiers.”

His remarks came days after the December 9 clashes along the Line of Actual Control between the Indian and Chinese forces at the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Prahlad Joshi; Chief Minister of Karnataka, Vasavraj Bommai; Home Minister of Karnataka, Araga Jnanendra; Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister, Karnataka, K Sudhakar; DG ITBP Anish Dayal Singh; and DG BPR&D, Balaji Srivastava, were also present on the occasion.

Shah’s remarks came days after the recent clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place after the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

“On December 9, PLA troops contacted the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,” the Indian Army had said in a statement earlier this month.

“Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) 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,” it had said.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told in parliament that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.

Giving a statement in the House, the Defence Minister had also assured the Upper House that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama Highlights ‘Ups And Downs’ Between India-China Amid Tawang Clash

By LokMarg 21st December 2022

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and China, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday highlighted the ups and downs between the two Countries.

While speaking at a public talk on “Compassionate and secular ethics – Educating the heart and mind” in Gurugram on Wednesday, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “India and China are the two most populous countries. In recent decades too many ups and downs. India is a democracy and respects all religions. India’s tradition is very good. So young Indians should keep India’s thousand-year-old secular tradition.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader also shed light on India’s concept of Karuna and Ahimsa and urged everyone to preserve it. “This world ultimately depends on whole-heartedness. No distinctions between communities and religions. We smile at each other and pray together. India’s concept of ‘Karuna’ and ‘Ahimsa’ is a key thing and we must preserve it,” he said.

Dalai Lama stressed that nowadays human brains are being used as weapons to destroy neighbours. “So, now we look at the world. Aggression, atrocity, violence, so many people are killed, keen to create nuclear weapons. In the last few centuries, too much violence. Now, the human brain is used for weapons, how to kill, and how to destroy your neighbour. That is totally wrong,” he added.

Stressing the fact to build a peaceful world without a weapon, the leader said that peace and violence depend upon us. “We are all the same human beings. All have to live together without any violence. When we pray for world peace, peace will not come from the sky, violence doesn’t come from the sky, all depend on us. In our brain basically, we have this nation, that nation, this religion, that religion. That causes fighting. That is outdated. Disagreements should be resolved, keeping in mind that all are our brothers and sisters, and should build a world without a weapon,” he said.

Calling ancient Indian masters as his source of inspiration, the leader called Indian tradition ‘extremely rich’ and ‘useful’ and asked the young generation to preserve it.

“The Indian tradition is extremely rich, particularly about the mind. Modern India should pay more attention to ancient India tradition. We should not neglect the knowledge of our mind”.

“Ancient Indian Masters are my source of inspiration. These are completely based on reasoning and thinking. I am a student of that tradition”, he said.

Earlier on Monday, said that India is a perfect place and his permanent residence and that he prefers India.

While responding to a query over the Tawang clash, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Kangra airport in Himachal Pradesh said, “Now things… Generally speaking, things are improving, I think in Europe and Africa and also in Asia. Now China is also now more flexible. Ok. But there is no point to return to China. I prefer India, the best place and Kangra, Pandit Nehru’s choice. This place is my permanent residence. It’s very right. Thank you.”

This statement came in the backdrop of the December 9 clash where People’s Liberation Army troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.

Giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh explained to the House about an incident and said, “On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts.”

He further said “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and clarified that “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”.

“Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.

As a follow-up of the incident, the Minister further said, the local commander in the area held a “flag meeting with his counterpart on December 11, 2022, to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms”.

“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh said. (ANI)

Tawang Remains Popular Tourist Hub Despite Border Tension

By LokMarg 16th December 2022

Though Tawang has been in news lately for the December 9 India-China border dispute, the picturesque town of Arunachal Pradesh has oft a time been described as the jewel in the crown of the Northeast by many.

This pristine hub of many tourist-worthy spots including Nuranang Falls, Namdapha National Park, Sela and Bumla passes, Tawang monastery, war memorial, Madhuri lake, Pangateng Tso, has flourished into one of the most fascinating destinations for Indians as well as its neighbour China.

Located at a distance of 25 miles from the Indo-China border, Tawang carries ample memories of the 1962 War.

In 1962, a conflict occurred between the neighbouring countries – India and China over the Aksai Chin region along the borders. Since then, this war known as the Sino-Indian war which led to the defeat of India, is known as one of India’s most decisive post-independence battles.

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With around 15,000 local residents in the town, the jewel in the Arunachal Pradesh “crown” has witnessed fast development in the last six to seven years.

In recent times, many hotels and homestays have developed in the city to provide accommodation to tourists. Locals have also come forward to join the sector and created several job opportunities.

Lauding the government for their support to the people engaged in this sector, hotel owner Dawa Thinley said that earlier there were only six hotels till 2006 but due to the government’s efforts and initiatives today the state has more than 100 hotels and homestays here.

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Speaking about the security concerns in the border area, Thinley said that there is peace in the city so far and tourists from the plains come here and enjoy snow and greenery.

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One of the locals in a conversation with ANI said that the town is often compared with Shimla and Kashmir because of its beauty which has added to the reasons that tourism here is growing rapidly.

“We are peaceful and hardworking. We have no option, Tourism is our only source of income in the entire district,” said a local resident Lam Tashi.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju who belongs to Arunachal has often tweeted about Tawang, its festivals, and local culture. The MP from West Kameng had said in 2017 “if Arunachal Pradesh is the crown of beautiful North-East and Tawang is a jewel on it”.

Many of Rijiju’s tweets on Tawang have trended after the December 9 incident, with some social media users even saying: “all should visit Tawang and turn it into one of India’s major tourist hub with a record number of footfalls” even if it was just to send a message to China.

People who have already visited the hill station have recommended Bumla Pass on the Indo-China border which can be visited only with a special permit issued by the Indian Army, besides Ita Fort, Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Namdapha National Park, the glacial lakes of Sangetser and Sela, the Taktsang Gompa, and the Gori Chen Peak. (ANI)

Chinese Army Behaving Like Hooligans, Streetfighters: Naravane

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

The Indian Army maintains a “professional stance” in warfare and would rather open fire than resort to “wielding clubs,” said former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane in a reference to the Chinese army engaging in fisticuffs with Indian soldiers in Galwan valley and most recently in Arunachal’s Tawang.

General Naravane asked if the Chinese army (People’s Liberation Army) has gone down to the level of “prehistoric times” by using “clubs and barbed wires”.

His remarks came days after the Chinese army attempted to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 through a faceoff with the Indian troops, in which they were pushed back by the Indian Army without suffering any casualties.

“We would still like to maintain that we are a 21st-century Army. To start going back to clubs and barbed wires is going back to prehistoric times. It is a very regressive way of going. We would still like to maintain that in warfare also there are certain rules. It is not that you do whatever you want to do. We would still like to maintain a professional stance. Therefore, rather than resort to wielding clubs, we rather open fire,” he said in ‘Podcast with Smita Prakash’.

“That is how an army fights by using the weapons at your disposal and not getting into fisticuffs. Are we hooligans or mafia? We are professional. Is that the level PLA has gone down to? Hooliganism and streetfighting? Or they are a professional 21st-century army? On one side they try to show their technological prowess, on the other side they are coming with barbed wire clubs. It is ridiculous,” the former Army Chief said.

Talking about the Galwan valley clash in 2020 in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives and several Chinese soldiers were also killed, General Naravane said that the Indian Army countered them in the same way that was used against it.

“Although we did not fire, we also resorted in a similar vein. It was always a question of who will open fire first. Since we felt that we had the measure of the PLA troops over there, we also countered them in the same way that they were taking action against us which was basically by the use of non-lethal, that is not actually firing, although casualties did occur. They were carrying sticks and we were also carrying sticks,” he said.

Asked what went through his mind when Colonel Santosh Babu and his men were killed in the Galwan clash in 2020, General Naravane said that the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice died in the line of duty.

“Any casualty of course hurts you. Every man is your man or son or daughter as a chief or a battalion commander. So any such news come, obviously you feel saddened. On the other hand, you also feel that what they have done is in the line of duty. They have certainly given as good as they got,” he said. (ANI)

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LAC Clash: US Supports Indian Efforts To Deescalate Tension

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

The United States Department of Defence said that it continues to closely watch developments along the Line of Actual Control at the India-China border and noted that China “continues to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC.”

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in an on-Camera Press Briefing on December 13 (local time) said that China is growingly asserting itself and being proactive in areas directed toward US allies and partners in Indo-Pacific.

Asked about the December 9 face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, the spokesperson said, “The DoD continues to closely watch developments along the line of actual control at the India-China border.

“We have seen the PRC continue to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC. But I would defer you to India in terms of their views. It does reflect though, and it’s important to point out, the growing trend by the PRC to assert itself and to be provocative in areas directed towards US allies and our partners in the Indo-Pacific,” the Pentagon spokesperson said.

“…We will continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the security of our partners. And we fully support India’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate this situation, Ryder said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament on Tuesday that Chinese troops had attempted to transgress the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in a bid to “unilaterally change the status quo” but were given a firm and resolute response forcing the Chinese side to retreat. In his statement in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Singh said the face-off led to a physical scuffle that led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides but “there were no fatalities or serious casualties” to Indian soldiers.

“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh told Parliament.

On Tuesday (local time), the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US is closely monitoring the situation and that Washington is ” glad to hear that both sides appear to have quickly disengaged from the clashes.”

” We are closely monitoring the situation. We encourage India and China to utilize existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries. Again, we are — we’re glad to see that there has been some disengagement on the clashes at this time,” the White House Press Secretary said.

The US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price also in his press briefing on December 13 (local time) stated that the Price stated that the US is glad to hear both sides have quickly disengaged after the clashes in Tawang.

“…we’re continuing to monitor very closely and to engage with our Indian partners,” Price said.

Responding to a question on the strategy of the US in case the situation escalates, the spokesperson said, “India is indeed an important strategic partner of the United States bilaterally, in the Quad, and other multilateral fora as well. So we’re always, with that in mind, in close contact with our Indian partners, both from our mission in India as well as from the State Department here in Washington.”

“… we do strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions, military or civilian, across the border at the established Line of Actual Control,” he said adding that, “We encourage India and China to utilize existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries.” (ANI)

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These 3 Army Units Thwarted Chinese Aggression At Arunachal LAC

By LokMarg 13th December 2022

In the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Yangtse in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, PLA troops clashed with three units of the Indian Army belonging to different infantry regiments who thwarted their attempt to change status quo on the Line of Actual Control.

Sources on the ground told ANI that the troops belonging to three different battalions including Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Jat regiment, and Sikh Light Infantry were present at the location of the clash last week when the Chinese tried to unilaterally change the status quo in the area.

The Chinese were armed with clubs, sticks, and other equipment for the clash. The Indian troops were also prepared for the clash as they had known the intentions of the adversary, they said.

One of the units of the Indian Army was on its way out of there and was being relieved by a new unit. However, the Chinese chose to clash on a day when both units were present in the area.

The Chinese Army troops try to enter these areas every year and try to patrol out their claim line which India does not allow.

The Chinese military has been behaving aggressively over issues in Yangtse in the vicinity of the Holy dip and Parikrama area on the Line of Actual Control where the Chinese side has been opposing Indian positions.

During the clash, sources said, the Chinese Army had come along with drones apparently to shoot the entire clash in which they were expecting to outnumber Indian soldiers.

The Chinese had come with over 300 troops who were pelting stones in an attempt to attack the Indian position but were beaten back badly and forced to retreat to their side of the LAC.

The area has seen clashes between the sides in the recent past also as the Chinese have been attempting their policy of encroaching on the land belonging to all their neighbours.

Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that the Indian forces would not allow anyone to capture an inch of land anywhere in the country.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in Parliament that Indian Army troops bravely stopped the Chinese Army from transgressing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Yangtse area of Arunachal’s Tawang sector on December 9.

“I want to assure the House, that no Indian soldier was killed or severely injured. I also assure the House that our Army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country. Our Army is ready to tackle any transgression. I firmly believe the House will support the bravery and courage of our armed forces,” he said. (ANI)

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It’s Not 1962 Anymore: Arunachal CM Pema On Faceoff

By LokMarg 13th December 2022

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, reacting to the Tawang face-off, said that India’s soldiers would give a befitting reply to anyone who “tries to transgress” the Line of Actual Control.

Khandu said that the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector where the face-off took place between the Indian and Chinese troops took place on December 9, comes under his constituency and he meets the Jawans and villagers of the area every year.

In a stern warning, the Chief Minister recalled the 1962 war in which India was attacked by the Chinese Army and said that anyone who attempts to transgress, Indian soldiers will give a “befitting reply”. In 1962, China had invaded India in Ladakh, and across the McMahon Line in the then North-East Frontier Agency.

“Yangtse is under my assembly constituency & every year I meet the Jawans & villagers of the area. It’s not 1962 anymore. If anyone tries to transgress, our brave soldiers will give a befitting reply,” Khandu tweeted quoting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s tweet in which he was briefing the Rajya Sabha earlier today on the Tawang situation.

Hailing the soldiers, Khandu said, “Our brave Indian Army is not answering brick with stone, our brave Indian army is answering brick with iron.”

Earlier today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.

Giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha, the Defence Minister assured the Upper House that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”.

Singh also displayed confidence that “this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in the brave effort.”

Explaining the incident, the Minister said: “I would like to brief this august House about an incident on our border in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, 2022.”

“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” said Singh.

He further said “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and clarified that “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”.

“Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.

The Minister also assured the House that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”.

“I am confident that this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their brave effort,” the Minister added.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

“On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,” the Indian Army has said in a statement.

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Lok Sabha Faces Disruption Over India-China Clashes In Arunachal

By LokMarg 13th December 2022

Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid a ruckus by the Opposition during Question Hour over the clash between troops of India and China along the Line of Actual Control at the Tawang border in Arunachal Pradesh.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said in the Lower House that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Members of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha gave notices under Rule 267 and Rule 176 of the Rules of Procedure for the suspension of business to conduct a discussion on the December 9 clashes between the forces of India and China at the Tawang border.

The MPs including Ranjeet Ranjan, Randeep Singh Surjewala, L. Hanumanthaiah, Jebi Mather, Jajani Patil, Nasir Hussain, Manish Tewari, Manoj Kumar Jha and Priyanka Chaturvedi are among those who have sought a discussion on the issue soon after both the houses assemble for the day.

The MPs have demanded to suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to have a discussion on the issue which needs immediate measures to combat such aggressions and protect India’s interests along the international border.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and service chiefs. (ANI)

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Cong MP Demands House Discussion On Arunachal Face-off

By LokMarg 12th December 2022

Raising concerns over a report of a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Congress MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari on Monday demanded a comprehensive discussion over the matter in the ongoing Winter session in Parliament.

“The clash is unfortunate. Galwan 2020 was in Eastern Ladakh. This is Twang, Arunachal Pradesh extreme North East. Chinese military posture and political disposition qua India especially after the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party warrants a full discussion in Parliament,” tweeted Tewari.

A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday led to minor injuries “to a few personnel” from both sides, sources said on Monday, noting that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

The sources said 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 Indian troops deployed in the area of face-off on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector gave a befitting response to the Chinese troops and the number of Chinese soldiers injured in the clash is more than the Indian soldiers, sources said on Monday.

They said the Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but did not expect the Indian side also to be well prepared. The sources said earlier that the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

They said as a follow-up to the incident, 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 sources said 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 up to their claim lines.

This has been the trend since 2006. (ANI)

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Indian, Chinese Soldiers Face Off In Arunachal, Injuries Reported On Both Sides

By LokMarg 12th December 2022

A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday led to minor injuries “to a few personnel” from both sides, sources said on Monday and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

The sources said on December 9, 2022, PLA troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

“This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area,” a source said.

They said as a follow-up of the incident, 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 sources said that 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 up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006. (ANI)

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