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’s demand comes amid conflicting claims over reported Chinese intrusion in Arunachal Pradesh.
AAC chairman Tami Pangu questioned the role and responsibilities of union minister Kiren Rijiju on such serious matters as an elected representative. 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 step down 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. 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.
The Nah Welfare Society (NWS) had recently submitted a memorandum to the Upper Subansiri deputy commissioner, alleging encroachment by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in several border areas in Upper Subansiri district. The memorandum alleged encroachments by the PLA at Oying (2445) in the Asaphila area, Paniar (Chujarta area), Marpan (Marnafe), Potrang Lake and Tindingtang (TG). NWS general secretary Tache Chader said the organisation holds the highest regard for the Indian Army, and that it has no political agenda.
We truly respect our Indian Army and their dedicated service in safeguarding our border villages. Our only objective is to draw the attention of the government, so that immediate precautionary measures are taken by deploying more Indian Army personnel in vulnerable border areas. This will ensure greater security and confidence among the villagers, Chader said.
The society demanded the establishment of defence outposts and security check posts at vulnerable locations, including Yamranchu, Pokalra, Pyabro Nyodi, Kejula and the Yaja-Pindogo river junction. It stated that, despite repeated appeals, no concrete action has been taken. The 2023 memorandum had also urged the government to construct a strategic road connecting Redding village in Taksing circle of Upper Subansiri district with Huri in Damin circle of Kurung Kumey district.
According to the society, the proposed road would provide the shortest route from Assam, strengthen defence logistics, and improve connectivity between the two regions. The villagers also demanded early release of compensation for land acquired by the Indian Army at Taksing headquarters, Redding, Lower Baliza, Ghora Camp and Yumme. They said although all necessary documents and official formalities were completed several years ago, compensation has not yet been paid.
The society further demanded construction of porter tracks, log bridges, ladder bridges and suspension bridges between Yaja village under Taksing circle and Gelomo/Bidak village under Limeking circle via the Korolosi-Pyabro Nyodi area to improve connectivity in the remote border region. The villagers alleged that the PLA has been gradually advancing towards their traditional areas and expressed fear that, if preventive measures are not taken, future territorial claims could directly affect their villages. The villagers also expressed concern over Potrang Lake, locally known as Poryang Yanyi Synyik, which they described as a sacred lake of immense religious, cultural and emotional significance to the Nah community, alleging that Chinese structures have reportedly been erected near the area.
They expressed fear that the lake could eventually be claimed by China. The state government has maintained that the claims regarding alleged encroachment will be verified through an official ground inspection before any conclusion is drawn.
