'PLA is not withdrawing, what's our future strategy,' Congress asks Modi govt

During a press conference, Congress leader Ajay Maken stated that since last one week, PLA is not withdrawing from the 'depth areas' as agreed in four rounds meeting of corps-commanders of India and China.

New Delhi: Congress party, on Thursday, reacted sharply over the reports of 40,000 PLA troops estimated to be present at the Indian territory, demanding a reply from the Central Government about its future strategy to tackle this dispute with China.

"Since last one week, PLA is not withdrawing from the 'depth areas' as agreed in four rounds meeting of corps-commanders of India and China. Thus, 40,000 PLA troops are still estimated to be present at LAC fronts," stated Congress leader Ajay Maken during a press conference.

He further added, "Today again, this disturbing news on Chinese PLA troops illegally occupying Indian territory has surfaced in the media. So much is the obscurity on the part of Government, that this news has been broken by media rather than the Government itself."

Congress alleged that Modi government has pushed Indian armed forces into moving back from ITBP administrative base at Finger 4 to an area between finger 2 and finger 3. Whereas, China continues to occupy 8 kilometres inside the Indian Land at LAC, between Finger 4 to Finger 8 and about 3 thousand Chinese soldiers are present there.

In a series of questions, Maken asked the Government, "Is the Government aware of the 40,000 PLA troops still not going back from our territory? Why is the Raksha Mantri, Foreign Minister and Prime Minister is silent about such important development? What is the plan of action now?"

He also raised questions over the Defense minister's statement that there is no guarantee of finding a solution in the ongoing talks with China. "Has Modi Government accepted Chinese transgressions and have also admitted that they have no solution to push the Chinese back into their territory behind the LAC between India and China?"

Maken demanded the Government to clarify the reports suggesting Chinese constructions at DBO road and Depsang Sector as well as about the claims made by various experts about 8 kms of Chinese occupation of Indian land.

"There can never be any compromise on our territorial integrity or national security. Prime Minister cannot brush these important issues aside of Chinese transgressions and Chinese build upon our border for it threatens our territory and compromises our territorial integrity," he added.