Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Thursday expressed concern over incursion by Chinese troops in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and wanted immediate steps to counter such actions while cautioning the government about intentions of China.
The issue was raised by Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia who said People’s Liberation Army had transgressed the border on land and by air in Chamoli district earlier this month when its men stationed themselves 200 metres inside the Indian territory.
Mr. Scindia, who was supported by his party colleagues, expressed surprise that neither the Home Minister nor the Prime Minister chose to clarify on the serious matter.
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Speaking in similar vein, Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress said attack helicopter of the Chinese army had also transgressed into the Barahoti area and the Chinese army told an Indian revenue official there to go back.
Noting that Uttarakhand has a 350-km long border with China, Mr. Roy called for immediate steps to check such transgressions.
SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav used the ocassion to caution the government about the intentions of China which he described as “dhokebaz desh” (deceitful country).
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“It is a deceitful country. When it is down it will keep mum, but when it is strong it will create problems,” said Mr. Yadav, noting that he had also been a former defence minister.
Contending that India faces no problem from Pakistan which can be tackled easily, he said there should be no bonhomie with China given the fact that it had attacked India in 1962 soon after then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unveiled the red carpet for Chou En Lai, his Chinese counterpart.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that for the government the security of the borders and the unity and integrity of the country is above everything.
Concurring with opposition leaders, he said Indian army was second to none in valour. He said he would bring the issue to the attention of the ministers concerned.
Bhagat Singh Koshiari, BJP member and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, claimed that no such transgression had taken place. He said it was a usual occurrence that the Chinese troops come into the no-man’s land but soon go back.