Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the lack of a clearly demarcated boundary in parts of Arunachal Pradesh has led to differing perceptions of the border on either side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Rijiju also rejected reports claiming that China had allegedly entered 60 km into Indian territory, saying such claims do not accurately describe the situation along the border.
“It is not like they (China) came and captured our village. That is not the case. On certain land, they have cast an eye because there is no demarcation. Our people believe that our land extends further ahead, while the villages situated on the China side, including Tibetan and local people, claim that their land extends deep inside here. So, there is confusion,” he said in an interview to news agency IANS.
Rijiju flags increased Chinese activity
Rijiju said Indian Army and ITBP personnel have significantly strengthened patrolling in the region compared with earlier.
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He referred to an area ahead of Longju, where the Chinese PLA has constructed structures resembling a village. According to Rijiju, the area was occupied in 1959 and China consolidated its presence there in 1962.
“And the village that has been built at a location ahead of Longju, where there is a valley and a river confluence, is where the Chinese PLA constructed some structures and built a few buildings resembling a village. That land was occupied in 1959…Then, in 1962, they further consolidated and established their presence at that place.
Right now, at our border point, our post is also present there. Travel and movement between China and India there have remained closed since after 1962. However, on the high ridges at the top, Chinese military activity has certainly increased,” he said.
Centre warns against misinformation
Rijiju said concerns raised by residents living near the border should be taken seriously, while rejecting claims of a 60-km Chinese penetration into Arunachal Pradesh.
“The concerns raised by our villagers regarding that are justified, and we should take them very seriously. But telling such lies that they have entered 60 kilometres inside, and posting unrelated photos from Bangladesh and elsewhere to claim that the Chinese Army has penetrated 60 kilometres inside Arunachal, spreading such misinformation lowers the morale of our Army personnel and security forces stationed there, and creates confusion in the country. This is not right,” he added.
India-China ties remain sensitive
The Ministry of External Affairs recently said the situation along the border has implications for broader India-China relations. It said both sides have agreed to use existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to “avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation”.
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Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply after the 2020 Ladakh standoff and the Galwan Valley clash, which killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops.
Recent reports have pointed to tensions in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, though the current status of the reported situation remains unclear.