China has constructed a village in Arunachal Pradesh: Report

Amid ongoing border tensions, China has reportedly constructed a village in Arunachal Pradesh

Amid the long-running border tensions between India and China, Beijing has constructed a new village along the border area of Arunachal Pradesh. As per media reports, US-based imaging company Planet Labs has captured satellite images of the new village that consists of around 100 houses built at a stretch of approximately 4.5 km along the river Tsari Chu in the upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. 

A report by NDTV unveiled two satellite images of the border area in the north-eastern state. While the first image (dated August 26, 2019) shows no construction activity or human occupancy in the area, the second image (dated November 1, 2020) shows several buildings constructed in the region. This indicates that China has constructed the village along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020.

Reports have stated that this area has been in control of China since 1959, even as it is a part of Indian territory as per the official government maps.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday responded to the reports of new construction activity by China along the LAC, saying that it is closely monitoring the developments. Releasing a statement over the development, the ministry noted that China has undertaken such construction activities in the past several years. It further added that the government is constantly monitoring all developments along its borders and would take significant measures to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Responding to media reports, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, also claimed that China has been carrying out its construction in the Upper Subansiri district and has entered more than 60-70km inside the area along the river Tsari Chu in Arunachal Pradesh.

Several Opposition leaders including former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi attacked PM Modi and NDA-led Centre over Chinese construction activity in Arunachal Pradesh. Taking to Twitter, the Congress party asked the Modi government to corroborate the report and inform their plan to protect the national security. 

“Reports suggest China has built an entire village inside Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh. Would the Modi govt care to corroborate this news & tell us how they plan to respond? If true, it proves China has understood PM Modi puts his image above national sovereignty,” Congress said in its tweet.

In response, BJP leader and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju blamed the Chinese incursion on past Congress governments in his tweet. 

Tensions between India and Chinese escalated in the wake of border stand-off in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June last year. While both Indian and Chinese forces have held several rounds of talks in the past few months, no resolution has come into effect. Meanwhile, lakhs of troops from both sides have been continuously standing guard along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).