Modi Govt Suppressing Border Issue: Congress

A file photo shows Indian Army personnel carrying out drills at Kibithu, close to the Line of Actual Control in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh (Photo: PTI)

(Source: PTI)

The Congress has hit out at the government over the India-China troops clash along the LAC in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, alleging that the Modi government was suppressing the border issue due to which China was acting with increasing audacity.

AICC general secretary of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Congress has been trying to “wake up” the government on the Chinese actions on the border but it is silent in order to “protect its political image”.

“We are proud of the bravery of the armed forces. China’s actions on the border are completely unacceptable. For the last two years, we have been repeatedly trying to wake up the government, but the Modi government is trying to suppress the matter only to save its political image. The audacity of China is growing because of this,” Ramesh said in a tweet in Hindi.

“No one is bigger than the country but Modi ji is putting the country in danger to save his image…,” he alleged and said the fresh development along the LAC was worrying.

The Congress also tweeted a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech made after the Galwan clash in which the prime minister had said that “no one occupied our land and no one has entered India and that none of our posts is in occupation of anyone else”.

“If this mistake had not been made. Had China been named, it would not have dared to raise its eyes towards India… There’s still time… don’t be afraid,” the Congress said while referring to the prime minister’s speech.

The reaction came after the Army said that Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, resulting in injuries to a few personnel on both sides.

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 said in a statement.

“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 said.

Meanwhile, the clash rocked the winter session of Parliament on Tuesday, with the opposition seeking a discussion on the crucial border issue. Proceedings in both houses were adjourned till noon amid protests from the opposition.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of Chinese transgressions at the border in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh and alleged that China has been taking shelter in the prime minister’s statement made in January 2020 that “no one has entered Indian territory or occupied any of our land”.