China builds village in India's Arunachal Pradesh: Report

According to reports, China has built a new village consisting of 101 new homes in India's Arunachal Pradesh, which has stoked a new row between the two sides amid the India-China standoff along the LAC.

The village is reportedly located on the banks of Tsari Chu river in upper Subansiri district, an area along the LAC.The area where the village is built has been long been disputed by both sides.

US-based imaging company Planet Labs has satellite images and claimed that around 100 houses have been built. There was no construction at the particular place in 2019.

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The satellite images from November 2020 shows the village constructed in the eastern range of the Himalayas compared with the satellite image from August 2019, the Chinese have made substantial gains.

India's external affairs ministry acknowledged the satellite images and said that the Indian government has also stepped up border infrastructure including construction roads and bridges.

The MEA said that India keeps a constant watch on all developments. The ministry added that India is taking all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, India's ruling party BJP lawmaker from the state of Arunachal Pradesh expressed concerns and spoke about the issue.

"Since the 80s till today, they (China) are occupying this area and construction of villages is not a new thing. They have already constructed military base between Bisa and Maza which is inside McMahon Line, under Indian territory," Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said.

The development comes after Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed at Galwan Valley in June last year in which 20 Indian had died in action, although the PLA had suffered casualties as well, however, China's foreign ministry has refused to divulge figures.

The stand-off in the region continues through this winter with thousands of troops from both sides deployed on the frontline along the LAC at extreme altitudes in sub-zero temperatures.