ITANAGAR, 5 Jul: Amid conflicting claims over reported Chinese intrusion in Arunachal Pradesh, the Arunachal Adivasi Congress (AAC) has urged the Centre to set up a parliamentary panel to review the ground situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the McMahon Line.
The AAC, the Adivasi wing of the Indian National Congress, said the panel should check the status of infrastructure, civilian settlements, and security arrangements in the border areas of Arunachal, and submit its findings to the Parliament for necessary action.
The party flayed union minister Kiren Rijiju for his recent remark dismissing Chinese incursion in Arunachal, and questioned his “role and responsibilities on such serious matters” as an elected representative.
“Whom do you represent in the Government of India as a Member of Parliament? What is your duty when border issues arise in Arunachal Pradesh? Why deny public concerns without checking the ground realities? Has your role reduced only to counter Rahul Gandhi?” AAC chairman Tami Pangu questioned.
Pangu said the entire country knows that Rahul Gandhi has constantly raised tribal rights and Chinese threats and LAC violations in the Parliament.
“Instead of addressing these real concerns, Rijiju keeps targeting Rahul Gandhi for asking genuine questions on national security,” he said.
The party demanded that Rijiju tender an unconditional apology before the people of Arunachal and the rest of the country, and also stepdown on moral grounds.
“When a union minister from Arunachal Pradesh downplays real concerns, it breaks the confidence of our first line of defence, lowers the morale of our jawans, and encourages the enemy,” the statement said.
It also criticised Chief Minister Pema Khandu overthe issue.
The party also reminded the prime minister and Rijiju of BJP MP Tapir Gao’s warnings in the Parliament that China had occupied parts of Arunachal, and listed 82 Chinese renaming of places in the state since 2017.
“These are not names on a map. This is a state-sponsored campaign to undermine sovereignty. The government must respond with firm diplomatic and strategic action,” he said.
The party also highlighted several LAC transgressions and face-offs between the Indian Army and the PLA between 2016 and 2024.
“All these incidents are on record. But the BJP government has refused to accept them since coming to power. We don’t understand why the Modi government keeps denying the facts and blaming 1962.”
“Sovereignty is not protected by staying silent. It is protected by accepting the truth, calling out aggression, and acting with full strength,” the statement added.
