India-China fresh faceoff in Arunachal Pradesh, claims BJP leader Tapir Gao

While the nation is talking about the development in parts of eastern Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in a faceoff with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley on June 15, Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh claimed that another faceoff took place at Andrella valley between the Indian Army and People's Liberation Army, albeit violence.

New Delhi: Amid a ghastly India-China faceoff in eastern Ladakh, another faceoff took place at Andrella valley in Arunachal Pradesh between the Indian Army and People's Liberation Army (PLA), claimed Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh.

Talking to ETV Bharatin an exclusive interview, Gao said that the incident which took place almost 10 days back was, however, controlled by the forces on the ground.

“I was told that the army of both sides faced each other before returning to their side,” said Gao.

Andrella Valley falls on the northeastern side of Mipi, which is the last administrative circle of the district in Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier also similar faceoff took place between Indian and Chinese Army. In fact, it was Gao who had earlier raised the matter in the Parliament.

“It’s a regular phenomenon. The Chinese Army sometimes enters into the India side but when they confront the Indian Army, they pull back,” said Gao.

The Army, however, denied the incident saying, “The bordering areas are in very remote places. Our forces maintain constant patrolling in the area,” said an army spokesperson.

Read:India rejects China's claim of sovereignty over Galwan Valley

In August last year, the Chinese Army entered at least 12 km on the Indian side in Anrella Valley and built a bamboo camp.

“The Indian Army had to dismantle their camp which was built during the summer,” said Gao.

Gao had also provided the pictures and videos to the central government, from the area claiming the transgression by the Chinese Army.

China on many occasions claims that a major part of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to them which was being rejected by the Indian government.

Interestingly, whenever Indian dignitaries visit Arunachal Pradesh, China opposes such visits.

China occasionally asserted its claims on Tawang. India, however, refuted such claims saying that Tawang is an integral part of India.

Interestingly, in April 2017, China strongly objected to a visit to Tawang by the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

Read:Govt will not allow any unilateral change of LAC: Centre

"India should build the border infrastructure in the eastern frontier strong and be ready for any kind of eventuality," said Gao.

In fact, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma during an all-party meeting on Friday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the central government to continue developing the infrastructure in the Northeastern states.

Aware of the strategic importance of the eastern frontier, the central government has operationalised six advanced landing grounds (ALGs) comprising Mechuka, Walong, Passighat, Ziro, Tuting, and Along for the Indian Air Force.

All these ALGs can be used to undertake special heliborne operations. In fact, IAF’s SU-30 fighter planes can also be operated from these ALGs.

The central government has also upgraded the Tezpur Air force station in Assam which is located 172 km away from the China border.

Government sources said that Tezpur air force station has two SU-30 MKI squadrons.

A squadron of Akash Missile has been introduced to the Tezpur Air Force base.