‘Painting of marks…’: Kiren Rijiju rebuffs reports of Chinese incursion in Arunachal

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday strongly refuted reports of alleged Chinese incursion in Arunachal Pradesh, saying mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn't mean the areas have been encroached upon.

Reports had claimed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered inside Indian territory in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh last week and they were camping in the Kapapu area of the district for some time.

The reports also claimed that bonfires, painting of rocks and Chinese food materials were found at the site.

Dismissing these claims, Rijiju, who hails from Arunacha Pradesh, said overlapping of patrolling by Indian and Chinese forces does take place in the undemarcated areas.

"China can't take our land. Overlapping of patrolling does take place in the undemarcated areas. They are not allowed to construct anything permanent. There is strict vigil from our side,” he told news agency PTI.

The minister further said that the ongoing infrastructure building by the Indian side in the border areas will continue.

The stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops has been going on since the Galwan Valley clash in April 2000. China has been consistently raising territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh while New Delhi has always maintained that the state is an integral part of the country.

Last month, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said both India and China held the 31st meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing. The ministry said the meeting was constructive and forward looking exchange of views.

India shares a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.