Cong questions PM over withdrawn doc mentioning Chinese 'transgressions'

Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Centre over the issue of Chinese aggression at the border. The leaders questioned the government after a defence ministry document which had acknowledged Chinese 'transgressions' was taken down from its website.

New Delhi:The Congress on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "lying" about Chinese aggression across the Line of Actual Control, citing a now withdrawn report of the Ministry of Defence which had acknowledged PLA's 'transgressions'.

The Ministry report "Major activities of Department of Defence for the month of April and May" which was published on its website, acknowledged that there were Chinese "transgressions" in eastern Laddakh in May. However, the document was later taken down from the website.

"I say this with a heavy heart that the post which was put up by the Defense Ministry in the morning, was removed by noon. It is very surprising... Or are they trying to save the Prime Minister?" questioned senior Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken while addressing a press conference.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also tweeted on the issue. "Forget standing up to China, India's PM lacks the courage even to name them. Denying China is in our territory and removing documents from website won't change the facts." he said.

Read:MoD withdraws document admitting to Chinese 'transgression' in Ladakh

The document also stated that the situation in Eastern Ladakh arising from the "unilateral aggression" by China continues to be sensitive and requires close monitoring based on evolving situation.

Demanding complete "transparency" over the matter, Maken asserted, "PM Modi should come out and clarify about the document as he himself claimed that no one had intruded into Indian territory. Government is contradicting its own statements."

"We want to ask the government, what is the truth? What the Defense Ministry has said is true or what PM has said is true? As all the Corps Commanders Meetings remained inconclusive, so what is the further strategy of the Government of India to deal with the situation? We want to know," Maken added.

Read:Chinese transgression: 'Why is the PM lying?' asks Rahul Gandhi