The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu has rejected speculations on social media about PLA incursion in this state’s territory from the PLA line of actual control. Responding to media questions, Chief Minister Khandu said there is no factual basis to believe that any territorial intrusion occurred and Indian Army personnel are continuously on the line of control. The Chief Minister said he would hold direct talks with tribal people in the vicinity of the border and coordinate with the military to prevent any fears.
But these official expressions of support are consistent with the previous replies by senior state and defense officials. In a statement issued last month, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung strongly criticized the unsubstantiated claims appearing in the digital world and dismissed them as just rumors. In the same statement, he told media and citizens to be cautious and to verify facts before saying anything about sensitive information before telling the nation about it, that Indian soldiers are on guard 24/7, 7 days a week and will defend the nation. He said foes have not been able to cross even a single inch of Indian territory and that the entire country is behind the armed forces.
The security establishment has always stood up against such misinformation. In June, the Indian Army officially denied the media reports that Chinese troops had entered Indian territory and established camps in Arunachal Pradesh. The military has categorically rejected such claims, which are completely untrue and groundless. Similarly, state authorities and political leadership throughout the country have continuously emphasized the strengthening of border infrastructure in recent years as well as the security of the remote areas to be protected from outside forces.
