Chinese Incursion in Indian State of Uttarakhand
Sputnik News
In-Depth Coverage
18:33 27.07.2016(updated 19:10 27.07.2016)
Chinese troops entered the state of Uttarakhand last week, the government confirmed on Wednesday.
The area where the incursion took place is a demilitarized international stretch of 80 sq km in Barahoti, part of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The grazing area is claimed both by India and China and shepherds from both the sides are allowed to enter the area.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said he had flagged the matter with the central government after the incursion was reported.
The incursion was noticed when Indian officials went to measure the revenue line in that area. According to Defense Ministry sources, a team of officials went up to the Line of Actual Control between India and China near Barahoti when some Chinese soldiers suddenly appeared and signaled the Indian team to go back and said that it was their land.
"It is very worrying. I have been saying that border vigilance should be increased. It was a good thing that they didn't touch an important canal in that area," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat told reporters.
He further added that, "I believe the government will take necessary cognizance."
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the government has asked the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, which guards the 3488 km Indo-China border from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, to look into the matter.
"We need to see how deep into our territory they came," Kiren Rijiju added.
The state of Uttarakhand shares a 350 km long boundary with China. The 80 sq km area has been agreed by the two countries as disputed since 1957 and was to be sorted out by the two countries.
There had been similar attempts of Chinese soldiers to enter in that part of the Indian territory in the past. In 2013, then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Vijay Bahuguna brought up the issue of Chinese violation of the international border at Barahoti after Chinese troops entered the area. Similarly, in 2013 and 2014 Chinese intruded into the Barahoti area.
Sputnik News
In-Depth Coverage
18:33 27.07.2016(updated 19:10 27.07.2016)
Chinese troops entered the state of Uttarakhand last week, the government confirmed on Wednesday.
The area where the incursion took place is a demilitarized international stretch of 80 sq km in Barahoti, part of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The grazing area is claimed both by India and China and shepherds from both the sides are allowed to enter the area.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said he had flagged the matter with the central government after the incursion was reported.
The incursion was noticed when Indian officials went to measure the revenue line in that area. According to Defense Ministry sources, a team of officials went up to the Line of Actual Control between India and China near Barahoti when some Chinese soldiers suddenly appeared and signaled the Indian team to go back and said that it was their land.
"It is very worrying. I have been saying that border vigilance should be increased. It was a good thing that they didn't touch an important canal in that area," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat told reporters.
He further added that, "I believe the government will take necessary cognizance."
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the government has asked the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, which guards the 3488 km Indo-China border from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, to look into the matter.
"We need to see how deep into our territory they came," Kiren Rijiju added.
The state of Uttarakhand shares a 350 km long boundary with China. The 80 sq km area has been agreed by the two countries as disputed since 1957 and was to be sorted out by the two countries.
There had been similar attempts of Chinese soldiers to enter in that part of the Indian territory in the past. In 2013, then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Vijay Bahuguna brought up the issue of Chinese violation of the international border at Barahoti after Chinese troops entered the area. Similarly, in 2013 and 2014 Chinese intruded into the Barahoti area.
