Land does not become someone else’s by marking and colouring it… China cannot take a piece of our land- Rijiju

New Delhi: On the news of alleged Chinese encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that just putting temporary marks at undetermined places does not mean that encroachment has been done. In areas which are not fixed, Indian and Chinese soldiers often reach the same place for patrolling. This does not encroach Indian territory. Rijiju said, ‘China cannot take our land. They are not allowed to build anything permanent. There is strict monitoring from our side. India is building infrastructure on the border and this will continue. We will not allow anyone to come near the LAC.’

What is the matter?

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday responded to media reports and social media posts claiming intrusion by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh. Reports claimed that the PLA had allegedly entered Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district last week and had been camping in the district’s Kapa Poo area for some time. Photos of bonfires, paintings on rocks and Chinese food items found have been shared on social media. However, on Monday, Rijiju clarified that mere marking of unmarked places does not mean that those areas have been encroached.

‘We will not allow anyone to come near the LAC’

Rijiju said, “China cannot take our land. There is overlapping patrolling in unmarked areas. They are not allowed to do any permanent construction. Strict monitoring is being done from our side. Just making marks at unmarked places does not mean that those areas have been encroached.” he/she also said that India is building infrastructure on the border and will continue to do so. Rijiju said, “But we will not allow anyone to come near the LAC.”