The Ministry of Home Affairs today has removed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Meghalaya. The move has diluted it in other regions of Arunachal Pradesh, reduced to eight police stations in the state from 16. Besides this, Meghalaya's 20km border belt with Assam has been reduced to 10km.

Nearly 40 per cent of Meghalaya was reported to be under AFSPA until September last year.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated a 37 per cent decline in the number of insurgency incidents in the Northeast region last year. 30 per cent decrease in security forces casualties and 23 per cent reduction in civilian deaths was registered since 2017.

The MHA release said that helicopter services have been extended to Assam to boost connectivity to remote areas. The protected Area Permit has been relaxed for five years for foreign visitors to Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland with an aim to enhance development and tourism in the region.&nbsp;

The Union government had also announced sanctioning 10 Indian Reserve Battalions in March this year to improve security in the region.

Besides this, the Union Home Ministry upped the northeast militants' aid, under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy, from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.&nbsp;

Besides this, the Union Home Ministry upped the northeast militants' aid from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh

The Ministry of Home Affairs today has removed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Meghalaya. The move has diluted it in other regions of Arunachal Pradesh, reduced to eight police stations in the state from 16. Besides this, Meghalaya's 20km border belt with Assam has been reduced to 10km. Nearly 40 per cent of Meghalaya was reported to be under AFSPA until September last year. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated a 37 per cent decline in the number of insurgency incidents in the Northeast region last year. 30 per cent decrease in security forces casualties and 23 per cent reduction in civilian deaths was registered since 2017. The MHA release said that helicopter services have been extended to Assam to boost connectivity to remote areas. The protected Area Permit has been relaxed for five years for foreign visitors to Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland with an aim to enhance development and tourism in the region. The Union government had also announced sanctioning 10 Indian Reserve Battalions in March this year to improve security in the region. Besides this, the Union Home Ministry upped the northeast militants' aid, under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy, from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

Home Ministry removes AFSPA completely from Meghalaya, eight police stations in Arunachal Pradesh

Just days after India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited China, the foreign ministry said India and China should foster a "more positive energy and expand to new cooperation fields".

India and China have been testing each other's strength at the border post-Doklam with reports of constant Chinese incursion into Indian territory along the Line of Control(LAC).

China's latest move comes after Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held talks with the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last Friday.&nbsp;

"China and India share extensive common interests and have a huge potential for cooperation. China attaches great importance to its relationship with India," the foreign ministry said.

The two countries also held the fifth meeting of the China-India Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing last Saturday.

"Our two sides should foster a more positive energy and expand to new cooperation fields in order to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua said.

China has reportedly developed military infrastructure along the LAC with India setting sights on improving its own defense in the area although India and China haven't exchanged fire since 1962 but both forces have been keeping a keen eye on each other as Arunachal Pradesh and other areas have become the latest flashpoints in India-China relations.

China's latest move comes after Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held talks with the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last Friday.

Just days after India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited China, the foreign ministry said India and China should foster a "more positive energy and expand to new cooperation fields". India and China have been testing each other's strength at the border post-Doklam with reports of constant Chinese incursion into Indian territory along the Line of Control(LAC). China's latest move comes after Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held talks with the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last Friday. "China and India share extensive common interests and have a huge potential for cooperation. China attaches great importance to its relationship with India," the foreign ministry said. The two countries also held the fifth meeting of the China-India Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing last Saturday. "Our two sides should foster a more positive energy and expand to new cooperation fields in order to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua said. China has reportedly developed military infrastructure along the LAC with India setting sights on improving its own defense in the area although India and China haven't exchanged fire since 1962 but both forces have been keeping a keen eye on each other as Arunachal Pradesh and other areas have become the latest flashpoints in India-China relations.

Watch: China attaches great importance to its relationship with India, says Chinese foreign ministry

Days after reports revealed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinese-army-builds-tower-camps-along-lac-in-arunachal-pradesh-127449">Chinese&nbsp;presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh</a>, the state's governor BD Mishra said on Monday that India is "capable enough"&nbsp;to restrict China's entry into its territory.

Calling the Chinese intrusion in Indian territory as&nbsp;"tactics", he added that the Chinese army goes back after India challenges it.

He said, "Chinese troops come near Indian territory, when challenged by Indian troops, they go back. These are their (Chinese) tactics. Indian troops are so capable that the Chinese cannot enter our territory."

On March 31 reports indicated Chinese incursion&nbsp;along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

A group of Chinese constructors, including new People's Liberation Army (PLA) camp, was seen along the LAC in the eastern state.

China's intrusion&nbsp;along the international border also included Chinese telecommunications tower and an observation post with a surveillance equipment.

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Chinese troops come near Indian territory, when challenged by Indian troops, they go back.These are their (Chinese) tactics.Indian troops are so capable that the Chinese cannot enter our territory: Arunachal Pradesh Governor on reports of incursions by China into Indian territory <a href="https://t.co/mfiQ7osfrE">pic.twitter.com/mfiQ7osfrE</a>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On March 31 reports indicated Chinese Infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh

Days after reports revealed Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, the state's governor BD Mishra said on Monday that India is "capable enough" to restrict China's entry into its territory. Calling the Chinese intrusion in Indian territory as "tactics", he added that the Chinese army goes back after India challenges it. He said, "Chinese troops come near Indian territory, when challenged by Indian troops, they go back. These are their (Chinese) tactics. Indian troops are so capable that the Chinese cannot enter our territory." On March 31 reports indicated Chinese incursion along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. A group of Chinese constructors, including new People's Liberation Army (PLA) camp, was seen along the LAC in the eastern state. China's intrusion along the international border also included Chinese telecommunications tower and an observation post with a surveillance equipment. Chinese troops come near Indian territory, when challenged by Indian troops, they go back.These are their (Chinese) tactics.Indian troops are so capable that the Chinese cannot enter our territory: Arunachal Pradesh Governor on reports of incursions by China into Indian territory pic.twitter.com/mfiQ7osfrE — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018 ×

Indian troops capable enough to restrict China's entry: Arunachal Pradesh Governor

In a fresh incident of friction, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against the Indian Army's "transgression" into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly rejected the complaint, official sources said.

The sources said the Chinese side raised the issue at a 'Border Personnel Meeting' (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army dismissed it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there.

The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India's patrolling in the area a "transgression" and the Indian Army objected to the terminology.

"China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising," said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been taken up seriously by the Indian side in the past.

Under the BPM mechanism, the two sides can register their protest over any incident of transgression as there are varying perceptions about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries. 
The delegation of China's Peoples Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such "violations" may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area.

However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the LAC and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries.

Perceptions of the border in the area between India and China are vastly different.

The sources said the Chinese military specifically mentioned large-scale Indian patrolling in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last.

Indian and Chinese troops hold BPMs to resolve issues triggering tensions along the border.

There are five BPM points along the LAC at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The BPM on March 15 had taken place at the Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area.

At the BPM, the Chinese also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India.

The Indian Army rejected the allegation, the sources said.

The Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory, about 1 km inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December.

The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked them to stop the activity.

The team brought in two excavators which were later returned.

The sources said the Indian Army has increased war-fighting drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC following the Doklam standoff.

"We are fully prepared to deal with any situation," said a senior Army official.

India has been adopting a more assertive approach to counter China's aggressive behaviour along the LAC.

Activities along the LAC by the two countries have increased following the Doklam standoff.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day face-off in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The impasse ended on August 28.

Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to keep an eye on Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically sensitive Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out recce missions.

The government has been focusing on strengthening its defences along the border with China.

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&nbsp;

In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

The Indian Army said the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there.

In a fresh incident of friction, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against the Indian Army's "transgression" into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly rejected the complaint, official sources said. The sources said the Chinese side raised the issue at a 'Border Personnel Meeting' (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army dismissed it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there. The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India's patrolling in the area a "transgression" and the Indian Army objected to the terminology. "China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising," said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been taken up seriously by the Indian side in the past. Under the BPM mechanism, the two sides can register their protest over any incident of transgression as there are varying perceptions about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries. The delegation of China's Peoples Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such "violations" may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area. However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the LAC and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries. Perceptions of the border in the area between India and China are vastly different. The sources said the Chinese military specifically mentioned large-scale Indian patrolling in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last. Indian and Chinese troops hold BPMs to resolve issues triggering tensions along the border. There are five BPM points along the LAC at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim. The BPM on March 15 had taken place at the Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area. At the BPM, the Chinese also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India. The Indian Army rejected the allegation, the sources said. The Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory, about 1 km inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December. The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked them to stop the activity. The team brought in two excavators which were later returned. The sources said the Indian Army has increased war-fighting drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC following the Doklam standoff. "We are fully prepared to deal with any situation," said a senior Army official. India has been adopting a more assertive approach to counter China's aggressive behaviour along the LAC. Activities along the LAC by the two countries have increased following the Doklam standoff. Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day face-off in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The impasse ended on August 28. Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off. India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to keep an eye on Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically sensitive Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out recce missions. The government has been focusing on strengthening its defences along the border with China. × In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

India rejects China’s ‘transgression’ accusations in Arunachal, says will continue patrols up to LAC

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-non-bailable-warrants-issued-against-nirav-modi-mehul-choksi-on-cbi-plea-129156">PNB scam: Non-bailable warrants issued against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi on CBI plea</a>

A special CBI court in Mumbai has issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connection with the cases related to over $2 billion banking fraud in the Punjab National Bank, officials said in New Delhi on Sunday.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/rajinikanth-wants-chennai-players-to-wear-black-armbands-this-is-why-129122">Rajinikanth wants Chennai players to wear black armbands. This is why</a>

Rajinikanth on Sunday urged IPL franchise Chennai and its fans to wear a black armband as a show of solidarity with the protests in Tamil Nadu calling for the quick set up of a Cauvery management board.&nbsp&nbsp

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/china-objects-to-indias-transgression-in-arunachal-pradesh-india-rejects-the-protest-129126">China objects to India's 'transgression' in Arunachal Pradesh India rejects the protest</a>

In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army's transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/worst-behind-us-will-be-out-of-nirav-modi-mess-in-6-months-pnb-md--129125">Worst behind </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/worst-behind-us-will-be-out-of-nirav-modi-mess-in-6-months-pnb-md--129125">us,</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/worst-behind-us-will-be-out-of-nirav-modi-mess-in-6-months-pnb-md--129125"> will be out of Nirav Modi mess in 6 months: PNB MD</a>

The worst is over for PNB and it will come out of the mess created by the Nirav Modi fraud case in six months, the state-run lender's Managing Director Sunil Mehta said Sunday.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-afghanistan-to-act-against-fugitives-irreconcilable-militants-129127">Pakistan, Afghanistan to act against fugitives, irreconcilable militants</a>

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to take action against fugitives and the irreconcilable militants under a bilateral agreement for regional peace and security, the Foreign Office said today.

PNB scam: Non-bailable warrants issued against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi on CBI plea A special CBI court in Mumbai has issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi in connection with the cases related to over $2 billion banking fraud in the Punjab National Bank, officials said in New Delhi on Sunday. Rajinikanth wants Chennai players to wear black armbands. This is why Rajinikanth on Sunday urged IPL franchise Chennai and its fans to wear a black armband as a show of solidarity with the protests in Tamil Nadu calling for the quick set up of a Cauvery management board. China objects to India's 'transgression' in Arunachal Pradesh India rejects the protest In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army's transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said. Worst behind us, will be out of Nirav Modi mess in 6 months: PNB MD The worst is over for PNB and it will come out of the mess created by the Nirav Modi fraud case in six months, the state-run lender's Managing Director Sunil Mehta said Sunday. Pakistan, Afghanistan to act against fugitives, irreconcilable militants Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to take action against fugitives and the irreconcilable militants under a bilateral agreement for regional peace and security, the Foreign Office said today.

Newsbrief: Big stories of the day

<div segoe="" style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33) font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, " ui="">The Line of Actual Control (LAC), a porous border separating India and China, continues to remain a cause of anxiety for New Delhi. And the reason for that is differing perceptions of the LAC in both the nations. While India, as always, wants to maintain the status quo along the border, China stakes claim to some of the territories in Arunachal Pradesh on the Indian side. 
&nbsp; 
These differences in perceptions have sharpened in the last few years due to infrastructure build-up by both India and China along the LAC. But the contrast is chilling. 
&nbsp; 
China has developed both civilian and military infrastructure along the LAC, and massively. But the Indian side - though it has created a new Corp of the Indian Army for the Eastern Front - still lacks basic infrastructure like telephone connectivity, roads or railways. The deployment of troops on the LAC from Indian side is dense but infrastructure remains absent. Many civilian areas are in fact unconnected. 
&nbsp; 
China has a railway station just 35km from the LAC. The nearest railway station on the Indian side is 200km away. A proposed railway station may bring down the distance to 150km but it still takes an Indian soldier deployed on the LAC more than 80 hours to reach the nearest railway station. 
&nbsp; 
Both the countries carry out long-range patrols to lay claims to the land. Any long-range patrol can take 20 to 28 days to complete. On an average, any unit on such patrol would cover 90km on foot. Rocks are marked and painted during these patrols. This constant painting and repainting have led to these rocks acquiring an inch thick of the coat. 
&nbsp; 
The stark difference between infrastructure development along the border can be attributed to the harsh weather condition on the Indian side. Many say that the weather on the Indian side is far wetter than on the Chinese side of the Himalayas. The connectivity of east and west bank of the Lohit river (a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra) is glaring. This problem has military implications. During hostilities, it can lead to troops being boxed in their own areas for long and will make an immediate rush to the spot on the other side next to impossible. 
&nbsp; 
When Indian and Chinese soldiers meet, evolved protocols kick into action, unlike the Line of Control (LoC), or the India-Pakistan border. The areas are designated and only fixed addresses are recorded on camera. Rest of the conversation takes place without it. Unlike eyeball to eyeball stand-off at LoC, the LAC witnesses non-violent stand-offs during patrols. 
&nbsp; 
India also faces another challenge. China has organised scattered communities along the LAC into single villages and built military installations adjoining them. The Indian side, on the other hand, has scattered population, which makes surveillance more difficult. 
&nbsp; 
In Kaho, the last Indian village before the LAC, any Indian phone with international roaming enabled can easily catch Chinese telecom network. This is not the case on the Indian side. The telephone towers of state-run BSNL are 40 to 50km away from the border. It makes intelligence gathering easy for the Chinese as its investment on LAC remains high tech and up to the mark.</div>

<div segoe="" style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33) font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, " ui=""><img alt="chinese-network-LAC.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="https://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/chinese-network-LAC.jpg" width="770" /> 
&nbsp; 
But the fact is that this is 2018 and not 1962. The Indian Army is well-deployed and well-stocked to meet any kind of situation. It has set up optical fibre network for its own communication in the border areas. Strong and long bridges have come on the Brahmaputra. Bhupen Hazarika bridge is one such example. It will allow tanks to ply if needed. A 1703-km-long trans-Arunachal Pradesh highway and inter-valley road is in the pipeline. Indian forces will remain more than a match for the Chinese military. According to assessment by the Indian Army, in case of hostilities, the human wave strategy deployed by the Chinese in 1962 will not be repeated. It will be more of shock and awe and missile oriented. 
&nbsp; 
There are no barbed wires on the LAC. There are bunkers and artillery deployed aimed at each other but guns have never boomed after 1962. Both sides intensely and continuously monitor each other and look for red flags. India knows that if Chinese troop movement takes place on the southern loop then it is a red flag and set of military counteraction would kick into force. The Chinese are&nbsp;monitoring the movement around Sela pass (in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh). 
&nbsp; 
The effort remains that the status quo of the border should not be breached. The LAC has been divided into disputed and sensitive areas. The disputed areas are those where both parties acknowledge the difference between position and sensitive where such divergence is not acknowledged at all. The sensitivity remains high and effort remains that local issues should not escalate to diplomatic levels. 
&nbsp; 
Doklam was one such incident when the local face-off got escalated and the matter had to be resolved diplomatically without provoking China. Politically, the matter has become even more sensitive to India after an extension of Xi Jinping's tenure. India's firm response in Doklam was to ensure that status quo is not altered. The deployment of Army on the LAC works on this principle. Even the deployment differs on the Line of Actual Control. In an 803-km-long LAC, deployments depend on the sector. Tawang sector is far more densely deployed than other areas owing to the sensitivity of the situation. 
&nbsp; 
India faces many challenges but opportunities are also immense. Arunachal Pradesh is one area in the Northeast, which is very nationalistic. Hindi unites people in the state. The response to LAC today cannot be a limited to military deployment. It requires a political action and vision. In Doklam it was proved that India will not allow status quo to change. It needs to show the same wisdom and vision inside its own border so that, these areas can be better integrated with the rest of India.</div>

The Line of Actual Control (LAC), a porous border separating India and China, continues to remain a cause of anxiety for New Delhi

The Line of Actual Control (LAC), a porous border separating India and China, continues to remain a cause of anxiety for New Delhi. And the reason for that is differing perceptions of the LAC in both the nations. While India, as always, wants to maintain the status quo along the border, China stakes claim to some of the territories in Arunachal Pradesh on the Indian side. These differences in perceptions have sharpened in the last few years due to infrastructure build-up by both India and China along the LAC. But the contrast is chilling. China has developed both civilian and military infrastructure along the LAC, and massively. But the Indian side - though it has created a new Corp of the Indian Army for the Eastern Front - still lacks basic infrastructure like telephone connectivity, roads or railways. The deployment of troops on the LAC from Indian side is dense but infrastructure remains absent. Many civilian areas are in fact unconnected. China has a railway station just 35km from the LAC. The nearest railway station on the Indian side is 200km away. A proposed railway station may bring down the distance to 150km but it still takes an Indian soldier deployed on the LAC more than 80 hours to reach the nearest railway station. Both the countries carry out long-range patrols to lay claims to the land. Any long-range patrol can take 20 to 28 days to complete. On an average, any unit on such patrol would cover 90km on foot. Rocks are marked and painted during these patrols. This constant painting and repainting have led to these rocks acquiring an inch thick of the coat. The stark difference between infrastructure development along the border can be attributed to the harsh weather condition on the Indian side. Many say that the weather on the Indian side is far wetter than on the Chinese side of the Himalayas. The connectivity of east and west bank of the Lohit river (a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra) is glaring. This problem has military implications. During hostilities, it can lead to troops being boxed in their own areas for long and will make an immediate rush to the spot on the other side next to impossible. When Indian and Chinese soldiers meet, evolved protocols kick into action, unlike the Line of Control (LoC), or the India-Pakistan border. The areas are designated and only fixed addresses are recorded on camera. Rest of the conversation takes place without it. Unlike eyeball to eyeball stand-off at LoC, the LAC witnesses non-violent stand-offs during patrols. India also faces another challenge. China has organised scattered communities along the LAC into single villages and built military installations adjoining them. The Indian side, on the other hand, has scattered population, which makes surveillance more difficult. In Kaho, the last Indian village before the LAC, any Indian phone with international roaming enabled can easily catch Chinese telecom network. This is not the case on the Indian side. The telephone towers of state-run BSNL are 40 to 50km away from the border. It makes intelligence gathering easy for the Chinese as its investment on LAC remains high tech and up to the mark. But the fact is that this is 2018 and not 1962. The Indian Army is well-deployed and well-stocked to meet any kind of situation. It has set up optical fibre network for its own communication in the border areas. Strong and long bridges have come on the Brahmaputra. Bhupen Hazarika bridge is one such example. It will allow tanks to ply if needed. A 1703-km-long trans-Arunachal Pradesh highway and inter-valley road is in the pipeline. Indian forces will remain more than a match for the Chinese military. According to assessment by the Indian Army, in case of hostilities, the human wave strategy deployed by the Chinese in 1962 will not be repeated. It will be more of shock and awe and missile oriented. There are no barbed wires on the LAC. There are bunkers and artillery deployed aimed at each other but guns have never boomed after 1962. Both sides intensely and continuously monitor each other and look for red flags. India knows that if Chinese troop movement takes place on the southern loop then it is a red flag and set of military counteraction would kick into force. The Chinese are monitoring the movement around Sela pass (in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh). The effort remains that the status quo of the border should not be breached. The LAC has been divided into disputed and sensitive areas. The disputed areas are those where both parties acknowledge the difference between position and sensitive where such divergence is not acknowledged at all. The sensitivity remains high and effort remains that local issues should not escalate to diplomatic levels. Doklam was one such incident when the local face-off got escalated and the matter had to be resolved diplomatically without provoking China. Politically, the matter has become even more sensitive to India after an extension of Xi Jinping's tenure. India's firm response in Doklam was to ensure that status quo is not altered. The deployment of Army on the LAC works on this principle. Even the deployment differs on the Line of Actual Control. In an 803-km-long LAC, deployments depend on the sector. Tawang sector is far more densely deployed than other areas owing to the sensitivity of the situation. India faces many challenges but opportunities are also immense. Arunachal Pradesh is one area in the Northeast, which is very nationalistic. Hindi unites people in the state. The response to LAC today cannot be a limited to military deployment. It requires a political action and vision. In Doklam it was proved that India will not allow status quo to change. It needs to show the same wisdom and vision inside its own border so that, these areas can be better integrated with the rest of India.

How India is fortifying LAC in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China's belligerence

Months after India restricted China's attempt at expanding over Doklam region in Bhutan, reports emerge showing Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

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A group of Chinese constructions, including new People's Liberation Army (PLA) camp, was seen along the LAC in the eastern state.

Chinese expansion along the international border also included Chinese telecommunications tower and an observation post with a surveillance equipment.

The latest expansion from the Chinese side was seen in an area&nbsp;called Tatu located on the other side of Arunachal Pradesh's Kibithu.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chinese?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chinese</a> infrastructure, including new People's Liberation Army (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PLA</a>) camp & houses in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tatu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tatu</a>, on the other side of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArunachalPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArunachalPradesh</a>'s Kibithu. <a href="https://t.co/ncTuGWa25p">pic.twitter.com/ncTuGWa25p</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/979902698630901761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chinese?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chinese</a> telecommunications tower and observation post with surveillance equipment, a part of their infrastructure in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tatu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tatu</a>, which is on the other side of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArunachalPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArunachalPradesh</a>'s Kibithu. <a href="https://t.co/I0PAmh0ZHo">pic.twitter.com/I0PAmh0ZHo</a>
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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said earlier this month that China was involved in the construction of helipads, sentry posts and trenches for its army personnel in Doklam.

Her statement came right after India's envoy in Beijing cautioned the government that any change of status quo along the India-China border may lead to another Doklam-like crisis.&nbsp;

India's envoy to China also asserted that there was "no change" at the standoff site even if the Chinese armed forces are trying to reinforce its troops "well behind the sensitive area".

A group of Chinese infrastructure including new People's Liberation Army (PLA) camp was seen along the LAC in the eastern state

Months after India restricted China's attempt at expanding over Doklam region in Bhutan, reports emerge showing Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. × A group of Chinese constructions, including new People's Liberation Army (PLA) camp, was seen along the LAC in the eastern state. Chinese expansion along the international border also included Chinese telecommunications tower and an observation post with a surveillance equipment. The latest expansion from the Chinese side was seen in an area called Tatu located on the other side of Arunachal Pradesh's Kibithu. #Chinese infrastructure, including new People's Liberation Army (#PLA) camp & houses in #Tatu, on the other side of #ArunachalPradesh's Kibithu. pic.twitter.com/ncTuGWa25p — ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2018 × #Chinese telecommunications tower and observation post with surveillance equipment, a part of their infrastructure in #Tatu, which is on the other side of #ArunachalPradesh's Kibithu. pic.twitter.com/I0PAmh0ZHo — ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2018 × Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said earlier this month that China was involved in the construction of helipads, sentry posts and trenches for its army personnel in Doklam. Her statement came right after India's envoy in Beijing cautioned the government that any change of status quo along the India-China border may lead to another Doklam-like crisis. India's envoy to China also asserted that there was "no change" at the standoff site even if the Chinese armed forces are trying to reinforce its troops "well behind the sensitive area".

Chinese Army builds tower, camps along LAC in Arunachal Pradesh

Not very often journalists get the chance to go to no-go areas in the North-East. After a decade of exposure to Siachin glacier and Line of Control (LoC), the attention of the government has shifted to a region which has been draped in mystique, myth, war, defeat and heroism. 
&nbsp 
To be able to visit the remotest part of Arunachal Pradesh as part of a group and understand the life around Line of Actual Control (LAC) - which divides India and China - is a privilege. The decision by the government to give access to areas which saw brutal war of 1962 and understand the functioning of the Army in changed geo-political climate in Asia reflects a change in its mindset and evolution of different priorities of both the Army and civilian leadership. 
&nbsp 
The Siachin and LoC exposure made people understand the violence in the border areas - general rhetoric usually suits political parties but not the soldiers on the border. They die. They take the bullet. Their bodies are consumed on TV screens but the men in coffin do not go back to their families.

They become fodder on TV nationalism. 
&nbsp 
The North-East is different. It is accepted cutting across the Army and political leadership. When you talk about the North-East, it is not Pakistan but China which is the issue. 
&nbsp 
The situation gets complicated politically as a hyper-nationalist mindset wants the Indian Army to teach the PLA one lesson every week.

It does not suit anyone.

Doklam was one example. The Army and the government showed more restraint than the media and civil society. Maybe this needs to change. Someone wants that the civil society should understand the difficulty and complexity of the North-East. 
&nbsp 
Perhaps for the first time, the difficulty of the terrain and inhumanness of geography in the North-East would stand exposed to an audience sitting in the drawing room. 
&nbsp 
It is not that the Indian Army is afraid of action, it is just that it wants to impart a sense of realism in civil society.

China can build roads right up to the border but the Indian Army cannot because of the terrain. After years of defensive posturing whereby lack of roads and bridges stood as a defensive strategy, the state is executing a 1,703 km long Trans-Arunachal Pradesh Highway and another stretch of 780 km of roads to inter-connect valleys which in the past was never done.&nbsp 
&nbsp 
Even the bridge-building had been slow in the North-East. Many would argue that the lack of infrastructure perhaps reflected a thinking that it would slow down a raging Chinese Army. Today, the opposite is happening. Slightly more confident India is building infrastructure, the latest example is the Bhupen Hazarika bridge (spanning the Lohit river and connecting Arunachal Pradesh with Assam) which is 9.15 km long. 
&nbsp 
But it does not match the Chinese size and scale. The Chinese have been able to build buildings and concrete huts with air conditioners near the border. The assessment is that they are trying to bring smaller settlements huddled together. It also reflects their confidence. Indian patrolling around disputed areas known as Fish Tail 1 and Fish Tail 2 is far more aggressive and frequent. The Chinese don’t go there much. 
&nbsp 
India has its problem. The Army has inherited a burden of bad connectivity and slow decision making. Whether it is of their making or top-down political percolation, the blame is difficult to pin down. 
&nbsp 
There are areas - not on our map - which India claims as its own. Long patrolling is conducted in those areas. Indian troops travel 28 days and cover 90 km area on long treks on smaller treks, they take 20 days. The trek is needed as there are no roads and the border needs to be checked diligently. 
&nbsp 
It shows how contentious the border issue really is!&nbsp

The LAC is divided into sensitive and disputed areas. Disputed areas are those where both parties acknowledge a dispute. "Sensitive areas" are those where despite different perspective, the "dispute" is not acknowledged and the "claim" is laid. The latter is more sensitive than the former as it doesn’t have any rules of engagement. 
&nbsp 
Lastly, LAC is not LoC. It never will be and perhaps this is the message which the Army wants to send across. It wants to break the stereotype. Unlike other places, Hindi binds all the tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are better Hindi speakers than many mainland states. 
&nbsp 
Siachin killed more people with its cold fury than bullets. The message went across as journalists visited the barren cold beast.

The fervour of Siachin war was subdued with reality. The Eastern theatre also needs this dose of reality. The civil society should realise that this theatre will never witness localized violence or skirmish. It will not create a crass Hollywood style consumable violence for the TV audience.

Any exchange in LAC has potential to derail India’s growth story. China waited long to assert itself. Indians can also be a bit patient allowing elbow room to the Indian Army which is already facing two nuclear-armed foes who are each other’s best friends.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

When you talk about the North-East, it is not Pakistan but China which is the issue

Not very often journalists get the chance to go to no-go areas in the North-East. After a decade of exposure to Siachin glacier and Line of Control (LoC), the attention of the government has shifted to a region which has been draped in mystique, myth, war, defeat and heroism. To be able to visit the remotest part of Arunachal Pradesh as part of a group and understand the life around Line of Actual Control (LAC) - which divides India and China - is a privilege. The decision by the government to give access to areas which saw brutal war of 1962 and understand the functioning of the Army in changed geo-political climate in Asia reflects a change in its mindset and evolution of different priorities of both the Army and civilian leadership. The Siachin and LoC exposure made people understand the violence in the border areas - general rhetoric usually suits political parties but not the soldiers on the border. They die. They take the bullet. Their bodies are consumed on TV screens but the men in coffin do not go back to their families. They become fodder on TV nationalism. The North-East is different. It is accepted cutting across the Army and political leadership. When you talk about the North-East, it is not Pakistan but China which is the issue. The situation gets complicated politically as a hyper-nationalist mindset wants the Indian Army to teach the PLA one lesson every week. It does not suit anyone. Doklam was one example. The Army and the government showed more restraint than the media and civil society. Maybe this needs to change. Someone wants that the civil society should understand the difficulty and complexity of the North-East. Perhaps for the first time, the difficulty of the terrain and inhumanness of geography in the North-East would stand exposed to an audience sitting in the drawing room. It is not that the Indian Army is afraid of action, it is just that it wants to impart a sense of realism in civil society. China can build roads right up to the border but the Indian Army cannot because of the terrain. After years of defensive posturing whereby lack of roads and bridges stood as a defensive strategy, the state is executing a 1,703 km long Trans-Arunachal Pradesh Highway and another stretch of 780 km of roads to inter-connect valleys which in the past was never done. Even the bridge-building had been slow in the North-East. Many would argue that the lack of infrastructure perhaps reflected a thinking that it would slow down a raging Chinese Army. Today, the opposite is happening. Slightly more confident India is building infrastructure, the latest example is the Bhupen Hazarika bridge (spanning the Lohit river and connecting Arunachal Pradesh with Assam) which is 9.15 km long. But it does not match the Chinese size and scale. The Chinese have been able to build buildings and concrete huts with air conditioners near the border. The assessment is that they are trying to bring smaller settlements huddled together. It also reflects their confidence. Indian patrolling around disputed areas known as Fish Tail 1 and Fish Tail 2 is far more aggressive and frequent. The Chinese don’t go there much. India has its problem. The Army has inherited a burden of bad connectivity and slow decision making. Whether it is of their making or top-down political percolation, the blame is difficult to pin down. There are areas - not on our map - which India claims as its own. Long patrolling is conducted in those areas. Indian troops travel 28 days and cover 90 km area on long treks on smaller treks, they take 20 days. The trek is needed as there are no roads and the border needs to be checked diligently. It shows how contentious the border issue really is! The LAC is divided into sensitive and disputed areas. Disputed areas are those where both parties acknowledge a dispute. "Sensitive areas" are those where despite different perspective, the "dispute" is not acknowledged and the "claim" is laid. The latter is more sensitive than the former as it doesn’t have any rules of engagement. Lastly, LAC is not LoC. It never will be and perhaps this is the message which the Army wants to send across. It wants to break the stereotype. Unlike other places, Hindi binds all the tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are better Hindi speakers than many mainland states. Siachin killed more people with its cold fury than bullets. The message went across as journalists visited the barren cold beast. The fervour of Siachin war was subdued with reality. The Eastern theatre also needs this dose of reality. The civil society should realise that this theatre will never witness localized violence or skirmish. It will not create a crass Hollywood style consumable violence for the TV audience. Any exchange in LAC has potential to derail India’s growth story. China waited long to assert itself. Indians can also be a bit patient allowing elbow room to the Indian Army which is already facing two nuclear-armed foes who are each other’s best friends. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Arunachal & North-East - Old frontier but a new challenge for the Indian Army

The Indian Air Force successfully landed its largest transport aircraft at Arunachal Pradesh&#39;s Tuting airfield yesterday. The C-17 Globemaster landed at the site which is close to the Chinese border.

The landing of the US-manufactured aircraft came in the bid to strengthen India&#39;s overall air force operations in the strategic-key border state.

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C17Globemaster?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#C17Globemaster</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAF</a> carried out a historic landing at Tuting ALG, Arunachal Pradesh, today. The challenging airfield is in midst of high hills in a narrow valley. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its SuperlativePerformance &amp; Excellent Flying skills of Pilots. <a href="https://t.co/paPktuWlQJ">pic.twitter.com/paPktuWlQJ</a>
&mdash; Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/973554889111494656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The C17 Globemaster carried out a historic landing at Tuting Advanced Landing Ground. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its superlative performance and excellent flying skills of pilots,&quot; said an air force spokesperson.

Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year. The event occurred after India stopped building a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28.

According to reports, China still has its troops stationed in north Doklam and is also believed to have been ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The landing of the US-manufactured aircraft came in the air force's bid to strengthen its overall operations

The Indian Air Force successfully landed its largest transport aircraft at Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting airfield yesterday. The C-17 Globemaster landed at the site which is close to the Chinese border. The landing of the US-manufactured aircraft came in the bid to strengthen India's overall air force operations in the strategic-key border state. The #C17Globemaster of #IAF carried out a historic landing at Tuting ALG, Arunachal Pradesh, today. The challenging airfield is in midst of high hills in a narrow valley. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its SuperlativePerformance & Excellent Flying skills of Pilots. pic.twitter.com/paPktuWlQJ — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 13, 2018 × "The C17 Globemaster carried out a historic landing at Tuting Advanced Landing Ground. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its superlative performance and excellent flying skills of pilots," said an air force spokesperson. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year. The event occurred after India stopped building a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28. According to reports, China still has its troops stationed in north Doklam and is also believed to have been ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area. (With inputs from PTI)

Air Force lands its largest transport aircraft in Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting

Nearly 680 people including locals and tourists in 320 vehicles stuck in unexpected heavy snowfall near Sela Pass near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh since yesterday afternoon were rescued by Army teams last evening, the operations continuing late into the night.

More than two feet of snow fell since yesterday noon and a large number of vehicles got stuck in sub-zero temperatures between Ahirgarh and Sela Pass.&nbsp;

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The road had about two-three feet of snow and was opened for traffic today by the Border Roads Organisation. (Zee News Network)
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Three rescue teams from the nearest base at Baisakhi worked relentlessly till midnight and all people and vehicles were brought to safety.

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With darkness setting in early, the entire operation was almost conducted in the dark and continued till all tourists were rescued. (Zee News Network)
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One team led by Havildar Prasan Rai working North of Sela extricated 188 stranded vehicles and approximately 400 civilians stuck in them to the Rescue Camp established at Jaswantgarh by 7.30 PM from where they moved on their own.

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Additionally, two teams led by Captain Tarun Singh Guleria and Capt Lavanya Sharma were launched to rescue and evacuate civilians stranded South of Sela Pass and they evacuated 280 persons and 132 vehicles till late in the evening.

Conduct of rescue work in sub-zero temperatures at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet in a hazardous terrain under failing ambient lighting conditions posed a formidable challenge for the teams. The troops of the Baisakhi Brigade of the Blazing Sword Division toiled for more than seven hours to get all to safety.

The rescued included a one and a half-year-old child who was having difficulty in breathing and a seventy-year-old tourist whose blood pressure had spiked to more than 200. The critically ill patients were stabilized at the medical post at Ahirgarh and later evacuated.

Last year, sudden heavy snowfall at this location had killed a Bulgarian woman, while 127 other tourists, including five foreigners, were rescued by the army after they were stuck in a raging blizzard.

Three rescue teams from the nearest base at Baisakhi worked relentlessly till midnight and all people and vehicles were brought to safety

Nearly 680 people including locals and tourists in 320 vehicles stuck in unexpected heavy snowfall near Sela Pass near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh since yesterday afternoon were rescued by Army teams last evening, the operations continuing late into the night. More than two feet of snow fell since yesterday noon and a large number of vehicles got stuck in sub-zero temperatures between Ahirgarh and Sela Pass. The road had about two-three feet of snow and was opened for traffic today by the Border Roads Organisation. (Zee News Network) × Three rescue teams from the nearest base at Baisakhi worked relentlessly till midnight and all people and vehicles were brought to safety. With darkness setting in early, the entire operation was almost conducted in the dark and continued till all tourists were rescued. (Zee News Network) × One team led by Havildar Prasan Rai working North of Sela extricated 188 stranded vehicles and approximately 400 civilians stuck in them to the Rescue Camp established at Jaswantgarh by 7.30 PM from where they moved on their own. × Additionally, two teams led by Captain Tarun Singh Guleria and Capt Lavanya Sharma were launched to rescue and evacuate civilians stranded South of Sela Pass and they evacuated 280 persons and 132 vehicles till late in the evening. Conduct of rescue work in sub-zero temperatures at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet in a hazardous terrain under failing ambient lighting conditions posed a formidable challenge for the teams. The troops of the Baisakhi Brigade of the Blazing Sword Division toiled for more than seven hours to get all to safety. The rescued included a one and a half-year-old child who was having difficulty in breathing and a seventy-year-old tourist whose blood pressure had spiked to more than 200. The critically ill patients were stabilized at the medical post at Ahirgarh and later evacuated. Last year, sudden heavy snowfall at this location had killed a Bulgarian woman, while 127 other tourists, including five foreigners, were rescued by the army after they were stuck in a raging blizzard.

Heavy snowfall lashes Tawang, Army rescues 680 tourists

After China&#39;s objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Arunachal Pradesh, India on Friday said the Northeastern state was an integral part of India and that its leaders and people have the right to visit it.

&quot;Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Our leaders and people have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh,&quot; external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said when asked about Chinese objection.

Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday after which China, which claims the state as part of the South Tibet, said it was firmly opposed to the &quot;Indian leader&#39;s visit to the disputed area.&quot;

China also asked India to refrain from taking any action that may &quot;complicate&quot; the boundary question.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency that, &quot;The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader&#39;s visit to the disputed area.&quot;

The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 km. Both sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their special representatives to resolve the issue.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

After China's objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Arunachal Pradesh, India on Friday said the Northeastern state was an integral part of India

After China's objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Arunachal Pradesh, India on Friday said the Northeastern state was an integral part of India and that its leaders and people have the right to visit it. "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Our leaders and people have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said when asked about Chinese objection. Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday after which China, which claims the state as part of the South Tibet, said it was firmly opposed to the "Indian leader's visit to the disputed area." China also asked India to refrain from taking any action that may "complicate" the boundary question. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency that, "The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader's visit to the disputed area." The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 km. Both sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their special representatives to resolve the issue. (With inputs from PTI)

Our leaders, people have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh: India to China

China&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-china-justifies-building-infrastructure-in-doklam-india-says-keeping-a-close-vigil-30065"> fighter planes and helicopters</a> have been undertaking reconnaissance sorties over north Doklam, intelligence report said.

The Chinese <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-begin-border-talks-first-after-doklam-standoff-27433">Air Force reconnaissance effort </a>is being backed up by the People&#39;s Liberation Army(PLA) on the ground, intelligence sources say.

According to intelligence sources, the Chinese Army has been carrying out &quot;intrusive patrolling&quot; near Doklam in the areas held by the Royal Bhutan Army at Lhariong, Sarithang, Sinchulumpa and Pangka La &nbsp;PLA. &nbsp;

Despite the onset of winter, the Chinese Army is continuing with &quot;force consolidation&quot; in the western sector, intelligence sources said.

The Chinese army has constructed &quot;field defences&quot; in north Doklam and has put around 25 &quot;small to medium-sized tents&quot; along open communication trenches in the Doka La Spur area, intelligence sources noted.

An Army observation post with a China flag has also been spotted in the area.

Chinese army convoy continue to ferry troops and logistics supplies towards Doka La Spur via Sinche La, intelligence sources confirm.

Reporter: Manish Shukla

The Chinese Air Force reconnaissance effort is being backed up by the People's Liberation Army

China's fighter planes and helicopters have been undertaking reconnaissance sorties over north Doklam, intelligence report said. The Chinese Air Force reconnaissance effort is being backed up by the People's Liberation Army(PLA) on the ground, intelligence sources say. According to intelligence sources, the Chinese Army has been carrying out "intrusive patrolling" near Doklam in the areas held by the Royal Bhutan Army at Lhariong, Sarithang, Sinchulumpa and Pangka La PLA. Despite the onset of winter, the Chinese Army is continuing with "force consolidation" in the western sector, intelligence sources said. The Chinese army has constructed "field defences" in north Doklam and has put around 25 "small to medium-sized tents" along open communication trenches in the Doka La Spur area, intelligence sources noted. An Army observation post with a China flag has also been spotted in the area. Chinese army convoy continue to ferry troops and logistics supplies towards Doka La Spur via Sinche La, intelligence sources confirm. Reporter: Manish Shukla

Chinese fighter planes, helicopters conducting reconnaissance over north Doklam: Intelligence sources

China today voiced its &quot;firm opposition&quot; to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims as part of South Tibet and said it would lodge a diplomatic protest with India.

&quot;China&#39;s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut,&quot; said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang in response to reports that Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh today.

&quot;The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader&#39;s visit to the disputed area,&quot; Geng was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

&quot;We will lodge stern representations with the Indian side,&quot; he said.

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<h5>The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader&#39;s visit to the disputed area,&#39; a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said</h5>
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Geng said that China and India had reached important consensus on properly managing disputes, and the two sides were working to resolve the territorial disputes through negotiation and consultation.

&quot;The Chinese side urges the Indian side to honour its commitment and abide by the relevant consensus, and refrain from taking any action that may complicate the boundary question,&quot; Geng said.

&quot;(These three areas) located between the illegal &#39;McMahon Line&#39; and the traditional customary boundary between China and India, have always been Chinese territory,&quot; he said in the Xinhua report, adding that the &#39;McMahon Line&#39; drawn by Britain in 1914 was an attempt to incorporate the areas into Indian territory.

He urged India to cherish the hard-won momentum of improvements in bilateral relations and create enabling conditions for the boundary talks and the development of bilateral relations.

China routinely protests visits by Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh and reiterates its claims over the state.

The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 kms. Both sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their Special Representatives to resolve the issue.&nbsp;

China said it would lodge a diplomatic protest with India

China today voiced its "firm opposition" to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims as part of South Tibet and said it would lodge a diplomatic protest with India. "China's position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang in response to reports that Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh today. "The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader's visit to the disputed area," Geng was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. "We will lodge stern representations with the Indian side," he said. The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader's visit to the disputed area,' a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said × Geng said that China and India had reached important consensus on properly managing disputes, and the two sides were working to resolve the territorial disputes through negotiation and consultation. "The Chinese side urges the Indian side to honour its commitment and abide by the relevant consensus, and refrain from taking any action that may complicate the boundary question," Geng said. "(These three areas) located between the illegal 'McMahon Line' and the traditional customary boundary between China and India, have always been Chinese territory," he said in the Xinhua report, adding that the 'McMahon Line' drawn by Britain in 1914 was an attempt to incorporate the areas into Indian territory. He urged India to cherish the hard-won momentum of improvements in bilateral relations and create enabling conditions for the boundary talks and the development of bilateral relations. China routinely protests visits by Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh and reiterates its claims over the state. The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 kms. Both sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their Special Representatives to resolve the issue.

China protests Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Arunachal Pradesh and poll-bound Tripura tomorrow on Thursday, officials said.

In Arunachal Pradesh, he will participate in three programmes, including the inauguration of the Dorjee Khandu state convention centre in Itanagar.

He will also dedicate the state civil secretariat building and lay the foundation stone of the academic block of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science.

From Arunachal Pradesh, Modi will proceed to Tripura where he will address two election rallies in Shanti Bazaar and Agartala.&nbsp;

Earlier, in November and December 2017, visits by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and President Ram Nath Kovind to Arunachal Pradesh had drawn sharp reactions from China, which seeks to lay claim to parts of India&rsquo;s north-easternmost state.

China had protested visits by Indian leaders during the erstwhile UPA regime too, but its protests have become sharper in recent years amid its growing global ambitions.

(With inputs from PTI)

From Arunachal Pradesh, Modi will proceed to Tripura where he will address two election rallies in Shanti Bazaar and Agartala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Arunachal Pradesh and poll-bound Tripura tomorrow on Thursday, officials said. In Arunachal Pradesh, he will participate in three programmes, including the inauguration of the Dorjee Khandu state convention centre in Itanagar. He will also dedicate the state civil secretariat building and lay the foundation stone of the academic block of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science. From Arunachal Pradesh, Modi will proceed to Tripura where he will address two election rallies in Shanti Bazaar and Agartala. Earlier, in November and December 2017, visits by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and President Ram Nath Kovind to Arunachal Pradesh had drawn sharp reactions from China, which seeks to lay claim to parts of India’s north-easternmost state. China had protested visits by Indian leaders during the erstwhile UPA regime too, but its protests have become sharper in recent years amid its growing global ambitions. (With inputs from PTI)

PM Narendra Modi to visit Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura on February 15

At least 30 houses and shops were reduced to ashes following a fire that broke out in&nbsp;Arunachal Pradesh&#39;s Dirang district on Saturday.

Over 100 civilians were rescued by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) from the blazing fire, which has now been completely doused following the fire, news agency ANI reported.

According to police officials, properties worth lakhs was saved following the rescue operations.

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More than 30 houses &amp; shops have been gutted in a fire which broke out in Arunachal Pradesh&#39;s Dirang earlier today. Over 100 civilians rescued by Indo-Tibetan Border Police; fire fighting &amp; rescue operation continue <a href="https://t.co/1H2F3xTQ20">pic.twitter.com/1H2F3xTQ20</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957284500697882625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The fire has been completely doused, sources said.

At least 30 houses and shops were reduced to ashes following a fire that broke out in Arunachal Pradesh's Dirang district on Saturday. Over 100 civilians were rescued by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) from the blazing fire, which has now been completely doused following the fire, news agency ANI reported. According to police officials, properties worth lakhs was saved following the rescue operations. More than 30 houses & shops have been gutted in a fire which broke out in Arunachal Pradesh's Dirang earlier today. Over 100 civilians rescued by Indo-Tibetan Border Police; fire fighting & rescue operation continue pic.twitter.com/1H2F3xTQ20 — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 ×

Arunachal Pradesh: Over 30 houses gutted in fire

China&#39;s right-leaning daily newspaper Global Times in its editorial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-objects-to-china-renaming-six-places-in-arunachal-pradesh-14724">said India has speeded up development</a> of infrastructure along the border with China, asserting that China has &quot;plenty of chips&quot; with which to bargain with India, through political, military and economic means.&nbsp;

In its op-ed page article, the daily mainly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nobody-should-have-any-problem-with-dalai-lamas-arunachal-pradesh-visit-india-says-14172">touched on India&#39;s ongoing dispute</a> with China over Arunachal Pradesh, which is called &quot;South Tibet&quot; in China. After reports surfaced&nbsp; of Arun Jaitley recently proposing the construction of a new tunnel, the newspaper said, &quot;if India seeks to break the status quo in the disputed region, relevant countermeasures by China should be in place.&quot;

&quot;The development of infrastructure can only play a limited role in improving the military&#39;s combat capability, but it is more of a gesture by the Indian government to strengthen control in the region,&quot; the newspaper said, adding that despite backward &quot;connectivity infrastructure in the disputed China-India border areas, made-in-China products are quite popular&quot; in the local markets in northeast India.

&quot;Most of the goods are imported by India from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, which serve as transit points for made-in-China goods,&quot; it said.

China had earlier announced that had &quot;standardised&quot; official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh and termed the provocative move as &quot;legitimate&quot;, India later opposed the move.

&quot;China can strengthen economic cooperation with the three countries to put pressure on India regarding issues related to the disputed region,&quot; the state-run newspaper said.

In its op-ed page article, the daily mainly touched on India's ongoing dispute with China over Arunachal Pradesh

China's right-leaning daily newspaper Global Times in its editorial said India has speeded up development of infrastructure along the border with China, asserting that China has "plenty of chips" with which to bargain with India, through political, military and economic means. In its op-ed page article, the daily mainly touched on India's ongoing dispute with China over Arunachal Pradesh, which is called "South Tibet" in China. After reports surfaced of Arun Jaitley recently proposing the construction of a new tunnel, the newspaper said, "if India seeks to break the status quo in the disputed region, relevant countermeasures by China should be in place." "The development of infrastructure can only play a limited role in improving the military's combat capability, but it is more of a gesture by the Indian government to strengthen control in the region," the newspaper said, adding that despite backward "connectivity infrastructure in the disputed China-India border areas, made-in-China products are quite popular" in the local markets in northeast India. "Most of the goods are imported by India from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, which serve as transit points for made-in-China goods," it said. China had earlier announced that had "standardised" official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh and termed the provocative move as "legitimate", India later opposed the move. "China can strengthen economic cooperation with the three countries to put pressure on India regarding issues related to the disputed region," the state-run newspaper said.

If India breaks status quo on Arunachal, countermeasures by China should be in place: China Daily

The Reserve Bank of India reiterated Wednesday that the Rs 10 coins it has issued of various designs are legal tender.&nbsp;

The RBI has so far issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a> Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reiterates legal tender status of Rupees 10 coins of different designs
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953551839798030337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;So far, the Reserve Bank has issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs and public has been informed of their distinctive features. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions,&quot; the RBI said.&nbsp;

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So far, the Reserve Bank has issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs &amp; public has been informed of their distinctive features. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953552659675463680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There had been reports earlier of people refusing to accept the new coins, because of rumours that they were not legal tender.&nbsp;

Shopkeepers, vendors,&nbsp;bus conductors, and even railway counters have reportedly rejected some of the 10-rupee coins saying that only the coins with the rupee symbol on them are legal tender. (As have panhandlers.)&nbsp;

There had also been reports of people going to their banks&nbsp;to exchange the coins in return for notes.&nbsp;

The issue reportedly started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing his demonetisation in November 2016.

The Reserve Bank of India has so far issued 10-rupee coins in 14 different designs

The Reserve Bank of India reiterated Wednesday that the Rs 10 coins it has issued of various designs are legal tender. The RBI has so far issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs. #FLASH Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reiterates legal tender status of Rupees 10 coins of different designs — ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2018 × "So far, the Reserve Bank has issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs and public has been informed of their distinctive features. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions," the RBI said. So far, the Reserve Bank has issued Rs 10 coins in 14 designs & public has been informed of their distinctive features. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2018 × There had been reports earlier of people refusing to accept the new coins, because of rumours that they were not legal tender. Shopkeepers, vendors, bus conductors, and even railway counters have reportedly rejected some of the 10-rupee coins saying that only the coins with the rupee symbol on them are legal tender. (As have panhandlers.) There had also been reports of people going to their banks to exchange the coins in return for notes. The issue reportedly started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing his demonetisation in November 2016.

All designs of Rs 10 coin are legal tender, RBI reiterates

India&#39;s security agencies deployed along <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinese-engineers-helping-pakistan-to-fortify-bunkers-along-loc-intelligence-report-29658">the eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh</a> at the Indo-China border reported the presence of an unidentified flying object, intelligence sources revealed.

The troops observed the object flying from Loah Sikho which moved towards Himi Siko and then the same object returned from Himi Siko and went towards the China side.

The unidentified flying object was blinking light every 4-5 seconds and could not be clearly seen due to darkness, the report said.

According to intelligence officials, the aerial transgression from China had happened last month on December 18th. Flying objects were seen inside Indian territory at 4:55 PM(local time) to 5:15 PM deep inside 5.5 km into Indian territory.

Due to darkness, Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan border police(ITBP) were unable to identify the flying object.

Joint report of Indian Army and ITBP sent to the Home ministry mentioned 8 major transgressions by China&#39;s army into India in December.&nbsp;

As per the report, three major border transgression happened in the northern sector of Ladakh.

On December 20th, the Chinese Army had entered 6.6 km into the Ladakh by vehicle. On Dec 21st again the Chinese troops in vehicles entered 2km into&nbsp;Indian territory. On December 30th, the Chinese army again entered 5.5 km deep into India.

According to the ITBP report, &nbsp;border transgression in the Thakung post of the central sector of Ladakh on December 30th was reported after Chinese troops were seen near the north bank of Pangong Tso early morning 1 km into India.

On December 21st and 28th, the Chinese troops entered 19 km across the border in Depsang area of Ladakh and 13.5 km into Samar Lungpa of Ladakh area.

he troops observed the object flying from Loah Sikho which moved towards Himi Siko

India's security agencies deployed along the eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh at the Indo-China border reported the presence of an unidentified flying object, intelligence sources revealed. The troops observed the object flying from Loah Sikho which moved towards Himi Siko and then the same object returned from Himi Siko and went towards the China side. The unidentified flying object was blinking light every 4-5 seconds and could not be clearly seen due to darkness, the report said. According to intelligence officials, the aerial transgression from China had happened last month on December 18th. Flying objects were seen inside Indian territory at 4:55 PM(local time) to 5:15 PM deep inside 5.5 km into Indian territory. Due to darkness, Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan border police(ITBP) were unable to identify the flying object. Joint report of Indian Army and ITBP sent to the Home ministry mentioned 8 major transgressions by China's army into India in December. As per the report, three major border transgression happened in the northern sector of Ladakh. On December 20th, the Chinese Army had entered 6.6 km into the Ladakh by vehicle. On Dec 21st again the Chinese troops in vehicles entered 2km into Indian territory. On December 30th, the Chinese army again entered 5.5 km deep into India. According to the ITBP report, border transgression in the Thakung post of the central sector of Ladakh on December 30th was reported after Chinese troops were seen near the north bank of Pangong Tso early morning 1 km into India. On December 21st and 28th, the Chinese troops entered 19 km across the border in Depsang area of Ladakh and 13.5 km into Samar Lungpa of Ladakh area.

Mysterious 'flying object' transgressed into Arunachal Pradesh, later returned to China: Intelligence report

News reports said Monday that China had agreed to stop road-construction work in the Tuting area of Arunachal Pradesh, and that India had returned the two excavators and other equipment seized from the Chinese last month.&nbsp;

Government sources had said late last month that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinese-road-building-teams-entered-1-km-into-arunachal-forced-back-sources-28477" target="_blank">Chinese&nbsp;teams had intruded</a> a kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh.&nbsp;

The teams -- consisting of civilians and uniformed personnel -- had turned back after they were confronted by Indian troops.&nbsp;

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<h5>Local villagers had at the time said the Chinese had left behind two excavators and other equipment</h5>
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The intrusion had taken place on December 28.&nbsp;

Local villagers had at the time said the Chinese had left behind two excavators and other equipment.&nbsp;

That equipment, the reports said Monday, had been returned. With China agreeing to put a stop to road construction activity in the area.&nbsp;

Army chief General Bipin Rawat had on Monday said that the Tuting issue had been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/army-chief-clears-air-on-chinese-intrusion-says-tutingincident-resolved-28869" target="_blank">&quot;resolved&quot;</a> at a border personnel meeting on January 6.

He did not however give out any further details.&nbsp;

 
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Government sources had said that Chinese teams had intruded a kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh late last month

News reports said Monday that China had agreed to stop road-construction work in the Tuting area of Arunachal Pradesh, and that India had returned the two excavators and other equipment seized from the Chinese last month. Government sources had said late last month that Chinese teams had intruded a kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh. The teams -- consisting of civilians and uniformed personnel -- had turned back after they were confronted by Indian troops. Local villagers had at the time said the Chinese had left behind two excavators and other equipment × The intrusion had taken place on December 28. Local villagers had at the time said the Chinese had left behind two excavators and other equipment. That equipment, the reports said Monday, had been returned. With China agreeing to put a stop to road construction activity in the area. Army chief General Bipin Rawat had on Monday said that the Tuting issue had been "resolved" at a border personnel meeting on January 6. He did not however give out any further details.

After Arunachal intrusion, China says will stop road-construction work, India returns equipment

Chinese road-building teams entered around 1 kilometre inside Indian territory in Tuting area of Arunachal Pradesh last week but returned after being confronted by Indian troops, government sources said on Wednesday.

The sources said the civilian teams came for track alignment activities and returned when confronted by the Indian troops, leaving behind various road building equipment including excavators. According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese team members included civilians as well as uniformed personnel.

The incident took place on December 28, nearly four months after the end of the 73-day long Doklam standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector.

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<h5>Indian government sources said there was &#39;no face-off&#39; between the two sides and that the issue is being resolved through an established mechanism</h5>
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The sources said on December 28, Indian border patrolling personnel observed few Chinese civilians undertaking track alignment activity 1 kilometre inside the Indian territory in Tuting area.

They maintained there was &quot;no face-off&quot; between the two sides and that the issue is being resolved through an established mechanism.

The government sources said the road building equipment are lying on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese soldiers were involved in road construction work in the area and that Indian security personnel intercepted them near Bising village under Tuting subdivision.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/how-the-chinese-incursions-in-doklam-can-change-indias-position-in-the-region-18221" target="_blank">How the Chinese incursions in Doklam can change India&#39;s position in the region</a>

The villagers said Indian soldiers confronted their Chinese counterparts and seized their road construction machines including two excavators.

Nyomin Tekseng of Zido village near the frontier and Pema Nyisir of Gelling village said that two excavators have been confiscated.

&quot;The road cutting is also clearly visible from the right bank of Siang river at Gelling which is about 7-8 km by aerial distance from the site.

Indian and Chinese troops had pitched tents at the freshly cut road and had erected a boulder wall,&quot; Nyisir said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/doklam-was-a-setback-china-keen-on-teaching-india-a-lesson-19300" target="_blank">Doklam was a setback, China keen on teaching India a lesson</a>

The villagers informed a local policeman, who in turn alerted the ITBP deployed in Medog, near Bishing.

The ITBP personnel reached the spot and asked the Chinese personnel to return.

There was reportedly an exchange of words but the Chinese refused to yield.

The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-india-needs-to-take-seriously-beijings-position-paper-on-doklam-18532" target="_blank">Why India needs to take seriously Beijing&rsquo;s Position Paper on Doklam</a>

Though the site is part of the ITBP&#39;s area of responsibility, there is a heavy deployment of the army in the region.

When contacted, Upper Siang DC Duli Kamduk said, &quot;Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion.&quot;&nbsp;

State&#39;s chief secretary in-charge Marnya Ete said he had no such information.

The incursion took place on December 28. The government sources said the Chinese teams turned back after being confronted by Indian troops

Chinese road-building teams entered around 1 kilometre inside Indian territory in Tuting area of Arunachal Pradesh last week but returned after being confronted by Indian troops, government sources said on Wednesday. The sources said the civilian teams came for track alignment activities and returned when confronted by the Indian troops, leaving behind various road building equipment including excavators. According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese team members included civilians as well as uniformed personnel. The incident took place on December 28, nearly four months after the end of the 73-day long Doklam standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector. Indian government sources said there was 'no face-off' between the two sides and that the issue is being resolved through an established mechanism × The sources said on December 28, Indian border patrolling personnel observed few Chinese civilians undertaking track alignment activity 1 kilometre inside the Indian territory in Tuting area. They maintained there was "no face-off" between the two sides and that the issue is being resolved through an established mechanism. The government sources said the road building equipment are lying on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to local villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese soldiers were involved in road construction work in the area and that Indian security personnel intercepted them near Bising village under Tuting subdivision. Also read: How the Chinese incursions in Doklam can change India's position in the region The villagers said Indian soldiers confronted their Chinese counterparts and seized their road construction machines including two excavators. Nyomin Tekseng of Zido village near the frontier and Pema Nyisir of Gelling village said that two excavators have been confiscated. "The road cutting is also clearly visible from the right bank of Siang river at Gelling which is about 7-8 km by aerial distance from the site. Indian and Chinese troops had pitched tents at the freshly cut road and had erected a boulder wall," Nyisir said. Also read: Doklam was a setback, China keen on teaching India a lesson The villagers informed a local policeman, who in turn alerted the ITBP deployed in Medog, near Bishing. The ITBP personnel reached the spot and asked the Chinese personnel to return. There was reportedly an exchange of words but the Chinese refused to yield. The Indian Army also sent a patrol to the faceoff site, where it continues to stay. Also read: Why India needs to take seriously Beijing’s Position Paper on Doklam Though the site is part of the ITBP's area of responsibility, there is a heavy deployment of the army in the region. When contacted, Upper Siang DC Duli Kamduk said, "Our officials in Tuting subdivision have not reported any Chinese incursion." State's chief secretary in-charge Marnya Ete said he had no such information.

Chinese road-building teams entered 1 km into Arunachal, forced back: Sources

The results of the Arunachal Pradesh bypolls&nbsp;which released on Sunday demonstrated yet another victory of the BJP over&nbsp;the Congress party.

The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh snatched two assembly seats, Pakke-Kessang and Likabali, from the Congress.

Terming the victory as a &quot;perfect Christmas gift&quot; for BJP, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has promised to return the gesture.&nbsp;

He said that the people of the two constituencies have shown that they are with good governance and development.&nbsp;

&quot;By electing BJP nominees they (people) foresee the accelerated development of their respective regions,&quot; the chief minister said.

Candidates BR Waghe and Kardo Nyigyor fought the bypolls from the BJP tickets.

Prime Minister thanked the people of the two constituencies for placing their faith in the BJP.

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I thank the people of Likabali and Pakke Kesang in Arunachal Pradesh for reposing their faith in BJP. We derive immense strength from this affection and remain committed to transforming the Northeast. <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Arunachal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Arunachal</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/944917903081488384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh snatched two assembly seats, Pakke-Kessang and Likabali, from the Congress

The results of the Arunachal Pradesh bypolls which released on Sunday demonstrated yet another victory of the BJP over the Congress party. The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh snatched two assembly seats, Pakke-Kessang and Likabali, from the Congress. Terming the victory as a "perfect Christmas gift" for BJP, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has promised to return the gesture. He said that the people of the two constituencies have shown that they are with good governance and development. "By electing BJP nominees they (people) foresee the accelerated development of their respective regions," the chief minister said. Candidates BR Waghe and Kardo Nyigyor fought the bypolls from the BJP tickets. Prime Minister thanked the people of the two constituencies for placing their faith in the BJP. I thank the people of Likabali and Pakke Kesang in Arunachal Pradesh for reposing their faith in BJP. We derive immense strength from this affection and remain committed to transforming the Northeast. @BJP4Arunachal — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2017 ×

BJP wins bypolls in Arunachal Pradesh

An estimated 68.5 per cent votes were cast in today&#39;s by-poll for Pakke-Kessang and Likabali constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, polling for which was held today.

Pakke-Kessang recorded 86 per cent polling, while Likabali constituency recorded 51 per cent, Joint Chief Electoral officer D J Bhattacharjee informed.

The polling percentage in both constituencies will increase as reports from several polling stations are yet to be received by the election office here.

The polling which began at 7 AM in the morning was largely peaceful except for an incident of damage to EVM by miscreants at Siberity, a booth in Likabali constituency where polling was suspended, Bhatacharjee informed.

&ldquo;Technical snag developed in one EVM at Durpai polling station under Likabali due to which polling was suspended,&rdquo; he said adding re-polling would be ordered in both the booths.

Though polling was moderate during the morning hours due to chilly weather conditions, it gained momentum as the day progresses.

Elaborate security arrangements were made with state police, ITBP and four companies of central paramilitary forces being deployed. The critical polling booths were covered by CRPF and IRB personnel.

Altogether 150 polling personnel were deployed for Pakke-Kessang, while 220 polling personnel conducted the polling in Likabali, Bhattacharjee said.

The Pakke-Kessang assembly seat has 7,455 voters including 3943 women, while Likabali has 10608 electorates including 5331 women voters.

Former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo (Congress) is contesting against BJP nominee B R Waghe in Pakke-Kessang, while the Likabali constituency witnessed a multi-cornered contest by Kardo Nyigyor (BJP), Modam Dini (Congress), Gumke Riba of Peoples? Party of Arunachal and Independent candidate Sengo Taipodia.

The Likabali seat had fallen vacant after the death of state health and family welfare minister Jomde Kena in September.

The Pakke-Kessang fell vacant after the Gauhati High Court declared null and void the election of Kameng Dolo from the seat in 2014 following an election petition filed against him by BJP nominee and former minister Atum Welly.

Welly had alleged that a fraudulent move had thrown threw him out of the election as the EC had accepted a forged letter of withdrawal of his candidature that led to the election of his lone opponent.

Welly, in his election petition earlier, had said that his signature was forged in the letter.

&nbsp;

An estimated 68.5 per cent votes were cast in today's by-poll for Pakke-Kessang and Likabali constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, polling for which was held today

An estimated 68.5 per cent votes were cast in today's by-poll for Pakke-Kessang and Likabali constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, polling for which was held today. Pakke-Kessang recorded 86 per cent polling, while Likabali constituency recorded 51 per cent, Joint Chief Electoral officer D J Bhattacharjee informed. The polling percentage in both constituencies will increase as reports from several polling stations are yet to be received by the election office here. The polling which began at 7 AM in the morning was largely peaceful except for an incident of damage to EVM by miscreants at Siberity, a booth in Likabali constituency where polling was suspended, Bhatacharjee informed. “Technical snag developed in one EVM at Durpai polling station under Likabali due to which polling was suspended,” he said adding re-polling would be ordered in both the booths. Though polling was moderate during the morning hours due to chilly weather conditions, it gained momentum as the day progresses. Elaborate security arrangements were made with state police, ITBP and four companies of central paramilitary forces being deployed. The critical polling booths were covered by CRPF and IRB personnel. Altogether 150 polling personnel were deployed for Pakke-Kessang, while 220 polling personnel conducted the polling in Likabali, Bhattacharjee said. The Pakke-Kessang assembly seat has 7,455 voters including 3943 women, while Likabali has 10608 electorates including 5331 women voters. Former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo (Congress) is contesting against BJP nominee B R Waghe in Pakke-Kessang, while the Likabali constituency witnessed a multi-cornered contest by Kardo Nyigyor (BJP), Modam Dini (Congress), Gumke Riba of Peoples? Party of Arunachal and Independent candidate Sengo Taipodia. The Likabali seat had fallen vacant after the death of state health and family welfare minister Jomde Kena in September. The Pakke-Kessang fell vacant after the Gauhati High Court declared null and void the election of Kameng Dolo from the seat in 2014 following an election petition filed against him by BJP nominee and former minister Atum Welly. Welly had alleged that a fraudulent move had thrown threw him out of the election as the EC had accepted a forged letter of withdrawal of his candidature that led to the election of his lone opponent. Welly, in his election petition earlier, had said that his signature was forged in the letter.

68.5 per cent votes cast in Arunachal by-poll

From a strictly electoral perspective, the Scheduled Castes in Gujarat are not a very important factor. They constitute just seven per cent of the State&rsquo;s population. And since they are thinly spread across the State, their role in deciding the outcome of an election in the 182 Assembly seats is limited. Yet, their support is essential for both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress for a different reason. The BJP&rsquo;s &#39;Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas&#39; slogan would sound ineffectual if the Scheduled Castes failed to vote for the party. The Congress&rsquo;s &lsquo;pro-poor&rsquo; image would take a beating if it could not win over this most marginalised section of society.

On the other hand, the Scheduled Tribes form 15 per cent of the State&rsquo;s population. This significant presence alongside the fact that they are largely concentrated in eastern Gujarat, gives them political leverage in, at least, 25 Assembly constituencies in the general category. Besides, they are also important for the &lsquo;inclusive development&rsquo;, a message the two main political rivals in the State have adopted to sound credible.

Taken together, the 22 per cent they represent is a formidable number. Add to it the number of reserved seats they share between themselves &mdash; 40 in all, with 13 Assembly constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes and 27 for Scheduled Tribes &mdash; and it is evident that this taken together is crucial for any political party&rsquo;s prospects in the coming State election.

If this is true, there is another reality. It is that the two groups do not have a common leader who can optimally exploit the strength for political empowerment. Nor do the SC and ST groups have common concerns, other than the abstract desire to lead a life that has more of dignity and social justice. Political observers, and definitely political strategists, realise that sharply delineated issues and not generalities work in electoral campaigns.

The Scheduled Castes have, at least ostensibly, found a messiah in Jignesh Mevani. He came into the limelight after the Una incident in 2016, when a group of cow vigilantes professing Right-wing credentials attacked members of the &lsquo;low caste&rsquo; community. That turned him firmly against the BJP. Earlier, Mevani had led a number of protests demanding land rights for the Scheduled Castes, but in those days he had no political leaning &mdash; or at least he did not overtly display them. He positioned himself as a champion of the rights of the underprivileged and claimed to have no political ambition. But last month he filed his nomination from the Vadnagar reserved seat. The Congress has not fielded any candidate from the constituency though it has a sitting MLA from there, and has decided to back Mevani. The Scheduled Castes leader has also decided to support the Congress in its battle against the BJP.

While he has taken the political plunge, it may not be smooth sailing for him. Upset that a seat which their party has held has been given to a non-Congressman, many grassroots workers of the Congress are reportedly preparing to put a spanner in the works. The BJP is working overtime to exploit the situation to its benefit. In any case, his political relevance is only proportional to the percentage of Scheduled Castes population in the State, and the fact that he is involved in a contest of his own will curtail his ability to canvas for the Congress across the State.

There is a general perception that the Scheduled Castes in Gujarat have traditionally favoured the Congress. This is not borne out by the electoral result of the 2012 Assembly election. The BJP had then won in 10 of the 13 reserved constituencies. It remains to be seen whether, in the new context, the party retains the sway.

The Congress had performed better with the Scheduled Tribes. Of the 27 seats reserved for this group in 2012, the party had triumphed in 16. The BJP had secured 10 seats while one went to the Janata Dal (United) candidate, Chotubhai Vasava. In the 2007 Assembly election, there were 26 seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, of which the Congress had won 16 and the BJP, nine; one seat had then too gone to the Janata Dal (United). The BJP&rsquo;s situation was worse in the 1998 election, when it could win only eight of the 26 seats.

The Bhil community is the single largest constituent of the Scheduled Tribes, forming an overwhelming 45 per cent. The other important sub-group is the Bhopa Rabari whose members are largely concentrated in north Gujarat. It is no surprise that the two national parties are putting everything they have to get the approval of these two communities especially and the Scheduled Tribes in general.&nbsp;

The Congress is banking on the &lsquo;failure&rsquo; of successive BJP regimes in the State to effectively implement the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which was supposed to provide title deeds of land claimed by the tribals under this law. Although nearly 70 per cent of disputed claims forwarded under the Act have been settled in the State, Gujarat still lags behind other States in the matter. According to a Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs data, the Gujarat Government had managed to distribute land to just 38 per cent of the claimants. This is the record, the Congress has claimed, of the BJP regime and reflects the latter&rsquo;s neglect of tribal rights.

But the BJP is confident that the surge of tribal support it has seen since 1998 will continue. It has been pulling out all stops to win over the Scheduled Tribes. Only recently, a tribal museum opened in Surat with a grant of one crore rupees from the University Grants Commission. While speaking at a public meeting recently in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the contribution of tribal leaders in the country&rsquo;s freedom movement. He laid the foundation stone for a tribal museum close to the Sardar Sarovar dam in Narmada district, and promised more such museums across the country.

The BJP&rsquo;s push for tribal support has also to do with the Hardik Patel factor. Realising that some of the Patidar votes may migrate from its camp to the Congress, now supported by Patidar leader Hardik Patel, the BJP is keen to make up for the deficit through enhanced votes from the Scheduled Tribes. It has placed hopes in the work that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been doing in the tribal belt of the State over the years. However, the Congress is in no mood to give up its advantage. If it can hold on to its support base among the Scheduled Tribes and Hardik Patel manages to deliver on his promise, the BJP could be at some disadvantage.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

India and China usually withdraw troops as winter approaches, but this time China is reportedly retaining troops in the Doklam area

From a strictly electoral perspective, the Scheduled Castes in Gujarat are not a very important factor. They constitute just seven per cent of the State’s population. And since they are thinly spread across the State, their role in deciding the outcome of an election in the 182 Assembly seats is limited. Yet, their support is essential for both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress for a different reason. The BJP’s 'Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas' slogan would sound ineffectual if the Scheduled Castes failed to vote for the party. The Congress’s ‘pro-poor’ image would take a beating if it could not win over this most marginalised section of society. On the other hand, the Scheduled Tribes form 15 per cent of the State’s population. This significant presence alongside the fact that they are largely concentrated in eastern Gujarat, gives them political leverage in, at least, 25 Assembly constituencies in the general category. Besides, they are also important for the ‘inclusive development’, a message the two main political rivals in the State have adopted to sound credible. Taken together, the 22 per cent they represent is a formidable number. Add to it the number of reserved seats they share between themselves — 40 in all, with 13 Assembly constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes and 27 for Scheduled Tribes — and it is evident that this taken together is crucial for any political party’s prospects in the coming State election. If this is true, there is another reality. It is that the two groups do not have a common leader who can optimally exploit the strength for political empowerment. Nor do the SC and ST groups have common concerns, other than the abstract desire to lead a life that has more of dignity and social justice. Political observers, and definitely political strategists, realise that sharply delineated issues and not generalities work in electoral campaigns. The Scheduled Castes have, at least ostensibly, found a messiah in Jignesh Mevani. He came into the limelight after the Una incident in 2016, when a group of cow vigilantes professing Right-wing credentials attacked members of the ‘low caste’ community. That turned him firmly against the BJP. Earlier, Mevani had led a number of protests demanding land rights for the Scheduled Castes, but in those days he had no political leaning — or at least he did not overtly display them. He positioned himself as a champion of the rights of the underprivileged and claimed to have no political ambition. But last month he filed his nomination from the Vadnagar reserved seat. The Congress has not fielded any candidate from the constituency though it has a sitting MLA from there, and has decided to back Mevani. The Scheduled Castes leader has also decided to support the Congress in its battle against the BJP. While he has taken the political plunge, it may not be smooth sailing for him. Upset that a seat which their party has held has been given to a non-Congressman, many grassroots workers of the Congress are reportedly preparing to put a spanner in the works. The BJP is working overtime to exploit the situation to its benefit. In any case, his political relevance is only proportional to the percentage of Scheduled Castes population in the State, and the fact that he is involved in a contest of his own will curtail his ability to canvas for the Congress across the State. There is a general perception that the Scheduled Castes in Gujarat have traditionally favoured the Congress. This is not borne out by the electoral result of the 2012 Assembly election. The BJP had then won in 10 of the 13 reserved constituencies. It remains to be seen whether, in the new context, the party retains the sway. The Congress had performed better with the Scheduled Tribes. Of the 27 seats reserved for this group in 2012, the party had triumphed in 16. The BJP had secured 10 seats while one went to the Janata Dal (United) candidate, Chotubhai Vasava. In the 2007 Assembly election, there were 26 seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, of which the Congress had won 16 and the BJP, nine; one seat had then too gone to the Janata Dal (United). The BJP’s situation was worse in the 1998 election, when it could win only eight of the 26 seats. The Bhil community is the single largest constituent of the Scheduled Tribes, forming an overwhelming 45 per cent. The other important sub-group is the Bhopa Rabari whose members are largely concentrated in north Gujarat. It is no surprise that the two national parties are putting everything they have to get the approval of these two communities especially and the Scheduled Tribes in general. The Congress is banking on the ‘failure’ of successive BJP regimes in the State to effectively implement the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which was supposed to provide title deeds of land claimed by the tribals under this law. Although nearly 70 per cent of disputed claims forwarded under the Act have been settled in the State, Gujarat still lags behind other States in the matter. According to a Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs data, the Gujarat Government had managed to distribute land to just 38 per cent of the claimants. This is the record, the Congress has claimed, of the BJP regime and reflects the latter’s neglect of tribal rights. But the BJP is confident that the surge of tribal support it has seen since 1998 will continue. It has been pulling out all stops to win over the Scheduled Tribes. Only recently, a tribal museum opened in Surat with a grant of one crore rupees from the University Grants Commission. While speaking at a public meeting recently in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the contribution of tribal leaders in the country’s freedom movement. He laid the foundation stone for a tribal museum close to the Sardar Sarovar dam in Narmada district, and promised more such museums across the country. The BJP’s push for tribal support has also to do with the Hardik Patel factor. Realising that some of the Patidar votes may migrate from its camp to the Congress, now supported by Patidar leader Hardik Patel, the BJP is keen to make up for the deficit through enhanced votes from the Scheduled Tribes. It has placed hopes in the work that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been doing in the tribal belt of the State over the years. However, the Congress is in no mood to give up its advantage. If it can hold on to its support base among the Scheduled Tribes and Hardik Patel manages to deliver on his promise, the BJP could be at some disadvantage. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

In winter, Chinese troops establish 'permanent base' at Doklam: Report

Arunachal Pradesh made headlines when reports of its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arunachal-pradeshs-siang-river-turns-black-flows-as-the-blackened-brahmaputra-in-assam-25522" target="_blank">Siang river turning black</a> garnered mass attention. WION previously reported on the growing distress among the locals in Arunachal Pradesh and a mass appeal -- led by Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency -- urging the central government to take immediate action.&nbsp;

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has also intervened and sought help. According to an ANI report, Khandu has urged the centre to take immediate action on the worsening state of Siang river.&nbsp;

&quot;I have personally monitored the condition of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siang-river-in-arunachal-turns-black-mp-suspects-chinas-involvement-25440" target="_blank">Siang river</a>. Yes, it is a matter of concern and the water is badly polluted. The water pollution has damaged the marine life. I have also asked the Deputy Commissioners of the state to submit a report on it soon,&quot; ANI quoted Khandu. The Chief Minister has also forwarded his petition to the central government.&nbsp;

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It is thought construction in Tibet (China) is to blame. (WION Web Team)
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Siang, a constituent river of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-assams-brahmaputra-river-also-turns-black-report-25476" target="_blank">Brahmaputra</a>, starts its course from Tibet -- where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo -- and travels down to Arunachal Pradesh from where it flows to Assam and comes to be known as the Brahmaputra. It flows from a 1,600 kilometre stretch in southern Tibet before entering India.&nbsp;

China has been blamed for the change in colour

Arunachal Pradesh made headlines when reports of its Siang river turning black garnered mass attention. WION previously reported on the growing distress among the locals in Arunachal Pradesh and a mass appeal -- led by Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency -- urging the central government to take immediate action. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has also intervened and sought help. According to an ANI report, Khandu has urged the centre to take immediate action on the worsening state of Siang river. "I have personally monitored the condition of Siang river. Yes, it is a matter of concern and the water is badly polluted. The water pollution has damaged the marine life. I have also asked the Deputy Commissioners of the state to submit a report on it soon," ANI quoted Khandu. The Chief Minister has also forwarded his petition to the central government. It is thought construction in Tibet (China) is to blame. (WION Web Team) × Siang, a constituent river of the Brahmaputra, starts its course from Tibet -- where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo -- and travels down to Arunachal Pradesh from where it flows to Assam and comes to be known as the Brahmaputra. It flows from a 1,600 kilometre stretch in southern Tibet before entering India.

Arunachal river turns black: CM urges centre to take immediate action

Arunachal Pradesh was recently in the headlines when <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siang-river-in-arunachal-turns-black-mp-suspects-chinas-involvement-25440">Siang river</a> in Pasighat was reported to have turned black.

WION has gathered that Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency has already written to PM Modi seeking his intervention on the issue.

Ering believes the change in water quality is a result of the construction of a 10,000-kilometer tunnel in China which is diverting water from Siang to Xinjiang province of the Taklamakan desert. However, China has denied all the claims.

&#39;The reason for the river getting dirty is unknown. I have already put questions for discussions in Parliament under rule 377. But since it is not in session, I am requesting you to use your good office to seek the reason of the river being muddy in this season when the water is crystal clear,&#39; Ering&#39;s letter read.

Ering has also put a request with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Water Resources ministry.&nbsp;

&#39;Our Siang river is all muddy since two months. It is extremely unusual and dangerous for the river to have turned black. We want serious action to be taken on the issue and an enquiry on the same,&quot;&nbsp;Ering told WION.

In the meanwhile, the situation has created an uproar in the local community. People have taken to the streets to demand a speedy resolution to the matter.&nbsp;

&#39;It was never muddy like this. Fish are dying, no fishermen are coming here as if there is some kind of poisoning going on. I will request the government of India not to ignore this anymore. We have heard that there is some diversion happening. Siang river has reduced in density, the impact is being seen from the beginning of this month. There are no birds around, you cannot eat the fish from the river,&#39; Yalem Taga Burang, President, Adi Baane Kebang Women Wing, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh told WION.&nbsp;

Siang originally starts its course from Tibet -- where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo -- and travels down to Arunachal Pradesh from where it flows to Assam and comes to be known as the Brahmaputra. It is now reported that the water downstream of the river <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-assams-brahmaputra-river-also-turns-black-report-25476">Brahmaputra in Assam has also changed to black</a>.

Siang&#39;s water has turned black with massive amounts of mud and cement. A government source shared that the change of colour to black is due to slag.

Reportedly, the government has been monitoring the situation since November 18 and is likely to involve departments like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for further investigations.&nbsp;

In a recent media interaction today, Ering shared that Siang&#39;s water is turning clayey. &#39;This is a season of migratory birds and none can be seen here. No fishermen in sight,&#39; noted Ering. He went on to&nbsp;explains the geography of the region to bring to notice how Siang&#39;s present condition is affecting the environment of the region.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency here has reportedly written to PM Modi seeking his intervention on the issue.

Arunachal Pradesh was recently in the headlines when Siang river in Pasighat was reported to have turned black. WION has gathered that Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency has already written to PM Modi seeking his intervention on the issue. Ering believes the change in water quality is a result of the construction of a 10,000-kilometer tunnel in China which is diverting water from Siang to Xinjiang province of the Taklamakan desert. However, China has denied all the claims. 'The reason for the river getting dirty is unknown. I have already put questions for discussions in Parliament under rule 377. But since it is not in session, I am requesting you to use your good office to seek the reason of the river being muddy in this season when the water is crystal clear,' Ering's letter read. Ering has also put a request with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Water Resources ministry. 'Our Siang river is all muddy since two months. It is extremely unusual and dangerous for the river to have turned black. We want serious action to be taken on the issue and an enquiry on the same," Ering told WION. In the meanwhile, the situation has created an uproar in the local community. People have taken to the streets to demand a speedy resolution to the matter. 'It was never muddy like this. Fish are dying, no fishermen are coming here as if there is some kind of poisoning going on. I will request the government of India not to ignore this anymore. We have heard that there is some diversion happening. Siang river has reduced in density, the impact is being seen from the beginning of this month. There are no birds around, you cannot eat the fish from the river,' Yalem Taga Burang, President, Adi Baane Kebang Women Wing, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh told WION. Siang originally starts its course from Tibet -- where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo -- and travels down to Arunachal Pradesh from where it flows to Assam and comes to be known as the Brahmaputra. It is now reported that the water downstream of the river Brahmaputra in Assam has also changed to black. Siang's water has turned black with massive amounts of mud and cement. A government source shared that the change of colour to black is due to slag. Reportedly, the government has been monitoring the situation since November 18 and is likely to involve departments like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for further investigations. In a recent media interaction today, Ering shared that Siang's water is turning clayey. 'This is a season of migratory birds and none can be seen here. No fishermen in sight,' noted Ering. He went on to explains the geography of the region to bring to notice how Siang's present condition is affecting the environment of the region. (With inputs from PTI)

Watch: Locals enraged as Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh turns black

Students of a girls&rsquo; school in Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly forced to undress by three teachers as a punishment for writing vulgar words against the head teacher.

Eighty-eight students of class VI and VII of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Tani Happa (New Sagalee) in Papum Pare district were subjected to the humiliating treatment on November 23, police said.

The matter, however, came to light on November 27 after the victims approached the All Sagalee Students Union (ASSU), who then filed an FIR with the local police.

According to the complaint, two assistant teachers and a junior teacher forced 88 students to undress before other students following the recovery of a piece of paper containing vulgar words about the head teacher and a girl student.

Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Tumme Amo on Wednesday confirmed the filing of the FIR by ASSU. He said the case has been forwarded to the women police station here.

&ldquo;The officer-in-charge of the (women) police station said the victims and their parents along with the teachers will be interrogated before registering a case,&rdquo; Amo said.

A team of All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) had met the students and teachers on Tuesday and found that an unidentified student had used vulgar words in a piece of paper mentioning the name of the head teacher and a girl student, a release by APPDSU said.

The teachers demanded an explanation from all the 88 students of classes VI and VII, who were later made to undress before the other students as punishment, it said.

&ldquo;The school authorities did not speak to the parents of the students before punishing them,&rdquo; APPDSU president Nabam Tado said.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has condemned the incident and said such &ldquo;heinous act&rdquo; by the teachers might affect the students. 
&ldquo;Tempering with a child&rsquo;s dignity is against the law as well as the constitution,&rdquo; it said in a statement.

&ldquo;To discipline, a student is an attitude, character, responsibility, and commitment of a teacher. Undressing a student is definitely not a corrective measure...Imposing such punishment is the total violation of child rights, and more likely it may accelerate the risk of child abuse,&rdquo; the party added.

Eighty-eight students of class VI and VII of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Tani Happa (New Sagalee) in Papum Pare district were subjected to the humiliating treatment on November 23 said police

Students of a girls’ school in Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly forced to undress by three teachers as a punishment for writing vulgar words against the head teacher. Eighty-eight students of class VI and VII of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Tani Happa (New Sagalee) in Papum Pare district were subjected to the humiliating treatment on November 23, police said. The matter, however, came to light on November 27 after the victims approached the All Sagalee Students Union (ASSU), who then filed an FIR with the local police. According to the complaint, two assistant teachers and a junior teacher forced 88 students to undress before other students following the recovery of a piece of paper containing vulgar words about the head teacher and a girl student. Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Tumme Amo on Wednesday confirmed the filing of the FIR by ASSU. He said the case has been forwarded to the women police station here. “The officer-in-charge of the (women) police station said the victims and their parents along with the teachers will be interrogated before registering a case,” Amo said. A team of All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) had met the students and teachers on Tuesday and found that an unidentified student had used vulgar words in a piece of paper mentioning the name of the head teacher and a girl student, a release by APPDSU said. The teachers demanded an explanation from all the 88 students of classes VI and VII, who were later made to undress before the other students as punishment, it said. “The school authorities did not speak to the parents of the students before punishing them,” APPDSU president Nabam Tado said. The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has condemned the incident and said such “heinous act” by the teachers might affect the students. “Tempering with a child’s dignity is against the law as well as the constitution,” it said in a statement. “To discipline, a student is an attitude, character, responsibility, and commitment of a teacher. Undressing a student is definitely not a corrective measure...Imposing such punishment is the total violation of child rights, and more likely it may accelerate the risk of child abuse,” the party added.

88 girl students forced to undress as a punishment in Arunachal Pradesh school

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arunachal-pradeshs-siang-river-turns-black-flows-as-the-blackened-brahmaputra-in-assam-25522">Watch: Locals enraged as Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh turns black</a>

 
Arunachal Pradesh was recently in the headlines when Siang river in Pasighat was reported to have turned black. WION has gathered that Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency has already written to PM Modi seeking his intervention on the issue.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-ockhi-approaches-lakshadweep-south-india-on-alert-580">Cyclone Ockhi approaches Lakshadweep, south India on alert</a>

A depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone on Thursday. The Indian weather department has warned cyclone Ockhi is approaching Lakshadeep. There have reports of heavy rainfall in most of the isolated places of south Tamil Nadu &amp; south Kerala, which will likely to continue for the next 24 hours.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/london-mayor-asks-trump-to-delete-far-right-retweets-and-apologise-to-british-people-25527">London Mayor asks Trump to delete far-right retweets and </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/london-mayor-asks-trump-to-delete-far-right-retweets-and-apologise-to-british-people-25527">apologise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/london-mayor-asks-trump-to-delete-far-right-retweets-and-apologise-to-british-people-25527"> to British people</a>

London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday accused the United States president Donald Trump of using Twitter to promote a &#39;&#39;vile and extremist group&#39;&#39; after latter retweeted three inflammatory videos posted online by a British far-right group. &nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-the-questions-a-parliamentary-panel-is-expected-to-ask-bhansali-prasoon-joshi-today-25509">Padmavati row: The questions a Parliamentary panel is expected to ask Bhansali, Prasoon Joshi today</a>

Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi are expected to meet a Parliamentary panel today. There have been strong protests against Bhansali&#39;s movie Padmavati, which Rajput and Hindu groups say disrespects Rajput history.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-im-lashkars-biggest-supporter-they-like-me-too-25405">I am Lashkar&#39;s biggest supporter, I know they like me: Pervez Musharraf</a>

 
Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s (LeT) &quot;biggest supporter&quot; and that he is aware that they &quot;like&quot; him too. In an interview with Pakistan&#39;s ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed.

 
&nbsp;

Watch: Locals enraged as Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh turns black Arunachal Pradesh was recently in the headlines when Siang river in Pasighat was reported to have turned black. WION has gathered that Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency has already written to PM Modi seeking his intervention on the issue. Cyclone Ockhi approaches Lakshadweep, south India on alert A depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone on Thursday. The Indian weather department has warned cyclone Ockhi is approaching Lakshadeep. There have reports of heavy rainfall in most of the isolated places of south Tamil Nadu & south Kerala, which will likely to continue for the next 24 hours. London Mayor asks Trump to delete far-right retweets and apologise to British people London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday accused the United States president Donald Trump of using Twitter to promote a ''vile and extremist group'' after latter retweeted three inflammatory videos posted online by a British far-right group. Padmavati row: The questions a Parliamentary panel is expected to ask Bhansali, Prasoon Joshi today Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi are expected to meet a Parliamentary panel today. There have been strong protests against Bhansali's movie Padmavati, which Rajput and Hindu groups say disrespects Rajput history. I am Lashkar's biggest supporter, I know they like me: Pervez Musharraf Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) "biggest supporter" and that he is aware that they "like" him too. In an interview with Pakistan's ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed.

WION Evening News Brief

A day after India&#39;s defense <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-nirmala-sitharaman-teaches-namaste-to-chinese-soldiers-21143">minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Army posts in Arunachal Pradesh</a>, China said the visit by the minister&nbsp;to the &quot;disputed area&quot; is &quot;not conducive to peace and tranquillity&quot;&nbsp;in the region.

&quot;As to Indian defence minister visit to Arunachal Pradesh, you must be very clear about China&rsquo;s position,&quot; China&#39;s defense minister Hua Chunying said.

Last month, Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the Nathu La border post in Sikkim, 30 km from Doklam, where the Indian and Chinese armies were involved in a two-month standoff.

&ldquo;There is a dispute on the eastern section of the China-India boundary. So this visit by the Indian side to the disputed area is not conducive to the peace and tranquillity of the relevant region,&rdquo; Ms Hua said.

&ldquo;Hope India will work with China for the shared goal, seek a solution acceptable to both sides and accommodate our concerns in a balanced way,&rdquo; Hua added.

During her visit Nathu La border post, Sitharaman was seen saying &quot;namaste&quot; to a Chinese solidier which was widely appreciated by the Chinese authorities, coming just a month after the Doklam crisis.

A few months back, China had said it had the &quot;right&quot; to rename of six places in Arunachal Pradesh. China had announced that it had &quot;standardised&quot; official names for six places in the north-eastern state and termed the provocative move as a &quot;legitimate action&quot;.

Dalai Lama&#39;s visit to Arunachal had also irked Chinese authorities earlier. China had said Dalai Lama&#39;s visit would have &quot;negative impact&quot; on the settlement of the &quot;border dispute&quot;. 
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Last month, Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the Nathu La border post in Sikkim, 30 km from Doklam

A day after India's defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Army posts in Arunachal Pradesh, China said the visit by the minister to the "disputed area" is "not conducive to peace and tranquillity" in the region. "As to Indian defence minister visit to Arunachal Pradesh, you must be very clear about China’s position," China's defense minister Hua Chunying said. Last month, Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the Nathu La border post in Sikkim, 30 km from Doklam, where the Indian and Chinese armies were involved in a two-month standoff. “There is a dispute on the eastern section of the China-India boundary. So this visit by the Indian side to the disputed area is not conducive to the peace and tranquillity of the relevant region,” Ms Hua said. “Hope India will work with China for the shared goal, seek a solution acceptable to both sides and accommodate our concerns in a balanced way,” Hua added. During her visit Nathu La border post, Sitharaman was seen saying "namaste" to a Chinese solidier which was widely appreciated by the Chinese authorities, coming just a month after the Doklam crisis. A few months back, China had said it had the "right" to rename of six places in Arunachal Pradesh. China had announced that it had "standardised" official names for six places in the north-eastern state and termed the provocative move as a "legitimate action". Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal had also irked Chinese authorities earlier. China had said Dalai Lama's visit would have "negative impact" on the settlement of the "border dispute".

Indian defense minister Sitharaman's visit to Arunachal not conducive to peace?in the region: China

Chinese engineers are testing techniques that could be used to build a 1,000km long tunnel, the world&rsquo;s longest, to divert water from the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh to the parched Xinjiang region, a media report said on Monday.

The move, that is expected to &ldquo;turn Xinjiang into California&rdquo;, has raised concerns among environmentalists about its likely impact on the Himalayan region, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The proposed tunnel, which would drop down from the world&rsquo;s highest plateau in multiple sections connected by waterfalls, would provide water to China&rsquo;s largest administrative division, comprising vast swathes of deserts and dry grasslands.

The water would be diverted from the Yarlung Tsangpo river in southern Tibet, which turns into the Brahmaputra once it enters India, to the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang. China&rsquo;s longest tunnel is the 85km Dahuofang water project in Liaoning province, while the world&rsquo;s longest tunnel is the 137km main water supply pipe beneath the city of New York.

India, a riparian state, has already flagged its concerns to Beijing about various dams being built by it on the Brahmaputra. Beijing has been assuring India and Bangladesh, which is also a recipient of water from the river, that its dams were of the run of river projects and not designed to storing water. Wang Wei, a researcher who helped draft the latest Tibet-Xinjiang water tunnel proposal, which was submitted to the central government in March, said more than 100 scientists formed different teams for the nationwide research effort.

He was part of the team which was led by China&rsquo;s top tunnelling expert, Wang Mengshu. The team, according to the report, suggested to drain the Brahmaputra at Sangri county in southern Tibet, close to Arunachal Pradesh. &ldquo;Sangri county featured a large, relatively flat valley that was ideal for the engineering project. An artificial island would be built in the middle of the river to create rapid turbulence, which could filter out sediment, and direct water to a well. The well could control the amount of water flowing into the tunnel,&rdquo; the report said.

The Chinese government started building a tunnel in the centre of Yunnan province in August that will be more than 600km long. Researchers said building the Yunnan tunnel would be a &ldquo;rehearsal&rdquo; of the new technology, engineering methods and equipment needed for the Tibet-Xinjiang tunnel, which would divert the Brahmaputra to the Taklimakan desert in Xinjiang, it said.

Chinese engineers say the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as &ldquo;the roof of the world&rdquo;, stops the monsoon from the Indian Ocean reaching Xinjiang, leaving the Gobi desert in the north and the Taklimakan desert in the south unsuitable for human settlement. In recent decades, Chinese government departments, including the ministry of water resources, have come up with engineering blueprints involving huge dams, pumps and tunnels, the report said.

The project&rsquo;s enormous cost, engineering challenges, possible environmental impact and the likelihood of protests by neighbouring countries have meant it has never left the drawing board. But Zhang Chuanqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences&rsquo; Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics in Wuhan, Hubei province, said China was now taking a quiet, step-by-step approach to bring it to life. &ldquo;The water diversion project in central Yunnan is a demonstration project,&rdquo; said Zhang, who has played a key role in many major Chinese water tunnel projects, including the one in Yunnan.

&ldquo;It is to show we have the brains, muscle and tools to build super-long tunnels in hazardous terrains, and the cost does not break the bank,&rdquo; he was quoted as saying by the Post. The construction of the tunnel on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the country&rsquo;s second-highest, would make political leaders more confident about the Tibet-Xinjiang project and more likely to approve it, he said

Chinese engineers are testing techniques that could be used to build a 1,000km long tunnel the world?s longest to divert water from the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh to the parched Xinjiang region.

Chinese engineers are testing techniques that could be used to build a 1,000km long tunnel, the world’s longest, to divert water from the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh to the parched Xinjiang region, a media report said on Monday. The move, that is expected to “turn Xinjiang into California”, has raised concerns among environmentalists about its likely impact on the Himalayan region, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The proposed tunnel, which would drop down from the world’s highest plateau in multiple sections connected by waterfalls, would provide water to China’s largest administrative division, comprising vast swathes of deserts and dry grasslands. The water would be diverted from the Yarlung Tsangpo river in southern Tibet, which turns into the Brahmaputra once it enters India, to the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang. China’s longest tunnel is the 85km Dahuofang water project in Liaoning province, while the world’s longest tunnel is the 137km main water supply pipe beneath the city of New York. India, a riparian state, has already flagged its concerns to Beijing about various dams being built by it on the Brahmaputra. Beijing has been assuring India and Bangladesh, which is also a recipient of water from the river, that its dams were of the run of river projects and not designed to storing water. Wang Wei, a researcher who helped draft the latest Tibet-Xinjiang water tunnel proposal, which was submitted to the central government in March, said more than 100 scientists formed different teams for the nationwide research effort. He was part of the team which was led by China’s top tunnelling expert, Wang Mengshu. The team, according to the report, suggested to drain the Brahmaputra at Sangri county in southern Tibet, close to Arunachal Pradesh. “Sangri county featured a large, relatively flat valley that was ideal for the engineering project. An artificial island would be built in the middle of the river to create rapid turbulence, which could filter out sediment, and direct water to a well. The well could control the amount of water flowing into the tunnel,” the report said. The Chinese government started building a tunnel in the centre of Yunnan province in August that will be more than 600km long. Researchers said building the Yunnan tunnel would be a “rehearsal” of the new technology, engineering methods and equipment needed for the Tibet-Xinjiang tunnel, which would divert the Brahmaputra to the Taklimakan desert in Xinjiang, it said. Chinese engineers say the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as “the roof of the world”, stops the monsoon from the Indian Ocean reaching Xinjiang, leaving the Gobi desert in the north and the Taklimakan desert in the south unsuitable for human settlement. In recent decades, Chinese government departments, including the ministry of water resources, have come up with engineering blueprints involving huge dams, pumps and tunnels, the report said. The project’s enormous cost, engineering challenges, possible environmental impact and the likelihood of protests by neighbouring countries have meant it has never left the drawing board. But Zhang Chuanqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics in Wuhan, Hubei province, said China was now taking a quiet, step-by-step approach to bring it to life. “The water diversion project in central Yunnan is a demonstration project,” said Zhang, who has played a key role in many major Chinese water tunnel projects, including the one in Yunnan. “It is to show we have the brains, muscle and tools to build super-long tunnels in hazardous terrains, and the cost does not break the bank,” he was quoted as saying by the Post. The construction of the tunnel on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the country’s second-highest, would make political leaders more confident about the Tibet-Xinjiang project and more likely to approve it, he said

China wants to 'turn Xinjiang into California', plans 1,000km tunnel to divert Brahmaputra water

The government is looking into a proposal for 50 temperature-controlled posts along the India-China border for ITBP jawans who guard the Himalayan heights in sub-zero temperatures, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Greater Noida on Tuesday.

Addressing personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, established on this day 56 years ago to guard India&#39;s borders with China, the home minister announced a slew of other measures to boost the capabilities of the force.

These include the construction of 25 border roads in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

There are 176 border posts along the India-China border, from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to Singh, the government is considering using technology to maintain a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the proposed new posts. These will be located in high-altitude areas where ITBP jawans have to bear the brunt of snow blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.

&quot;We are committed to enhancing your operational and infrastructure capabilities. Recently, we got a proposal to build 50 new border posts for the force and we are working on it,&quot; the home minister said.

The setting up of more posts is aimed at ensuring that they are not abandoned during extreme snow and cold.

The government is also considering special lightweight winter clothing for troops deployed above 9,000 feet and an enhanced fleet of snow scooters to patrol the high-altitude areas of the 3,488-km Sino-Indian frontier.

The force guards the border in altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet to 18,700 feet in the Western, Middle and Eastern sectors of the Indo-China Border.

Singh said he is not satisfied with housing and infrastructure facilities and is &quot;seriously&quot; working to improve these areas. The minister also said 35 old border posts in very high- altitude areas are being upgraded as &quot;composite&quot; units.

&quot;We are working to enhance road, mobile and satellite connectivity in the border areas for the ITBP,&quot; he said.

The minister asked ITBP troops to ensure and build good relations with border dwellers as they are &quot;strategic assets&quot; of the country and important stakeholders in keeping the borders safe.

Singh lauded the ITBP for introducing Mandarin during basic training of its troops. This was done so they can converse with the Chinese Army during face-offs.

He also asked ITBP officers to take the responsibility of at least one family of those killed in the line of duty.

The ministry is working to help jawans who have suffered 50 percent disability during operations through the Bharat Ke Veer benevolent fund, he said.

ITBP Director General (DG) R K Pachnanda said the force has been nominated as the &quot;nodal agency&quot; for obtaining and channelising satellite communication for all border-guarding forces in the country.

He said the home ministry has also approved the ITBP&#39;s proposal to hire helicopters for high-altitude border posts.

The paramilitary is also enhancing its intelligence set-up, Pachnanda added.

The government is looking into a proposal for 50 temperature-controlled posts along the India-China border for ITBP jawans who guard the Himalayan heights in sub-zero temperatures, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

The government is looking into a proposal for 50 temperature-controlled posts along the India-China border for ITBP jawans who guard the Himalayan heights in sub-zero temperatures, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Greater Noida on Tuesday. Addressing personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, established on this day 56 years ago to guard India's borders with China, the home minister announced a slew of other measures to boost the capabilities of the force. These include the construction of 25 border roads in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. There are 176 border posts along the India-China border, from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh. According to Singh, the government is considering using technology to maintain a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the proposed new posts. These will be located in high-altitude areas where ITBP jawans have to bear the brunt of snow blizzards and sub-zero temperatures. "We are committed to enhancing your operational and infrastructure capabilities. Recently, we got a proposal to build 50 new border posts for the force and we are working on it," the home minister said. The setting up of more posts is aimed at ensuring that they are not abandoned during extreme snow and cold. The government is also considering special lightweight winter clothing for troops deployed above 9,000 feet and an enhanced fleet of snow scooters to patrol the high-altitude areas of the 3,488-km Sino-Indian frontier. The force guards the border in altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet to 18,700 feet in the Western, Middle and Eastern sectors of the Indo-China Border. Singh said he is not satisfied with housing and infrastructure facilities and is "seriously" working to improve these areas. The minister also said 35 old border posts in very high- altitude areas are being upgraded as "composite" units. "We are working to enhance road, mobile and satellite connectivity in the border areas for the ITBP," he said. The minister asked ITBP troops to ensure and build good relations with border dwellers as they are "strategic assets" of the country and important stakeholders in keeping the borders safe. Singh lauded the ITBP for introducing Mandarin during basic training of its troops. This was done so they can converse with the Chinese Army during face-offs. He also asked ITBP officers to take the responsibility of at least one family of those killed in the line of duty. The ministry is working to help jawans who have suffered 50 percent disability during operations through the Bharat Ke Veer benevolent fund, he said. ITBP Director General (DG) R K Pachnanda said the force has been nominated as the "nodal agency" for obtaining and channelising satellite communication for all border-guarding forces in the country. He said the home ministry has also approved the ITBP's proposal to hire helicopters for high-altitude border posts. The paramilitary is also enhancing its intelligence set-up, Pachnanda added.

Govt considering temperature-controlled posts for ITBP: Rajnath Singh

An Army camp in Arunachal was attacked last night by insurgents, reports said.

Around 1am(local time) on Monday night insurgents fired on the Army base in Niausa, soldiers immediately returned fire, media reports said.

There were no reports of any casualties.

Around 1am(local time) on Monday night insurgents fired on the Army base in Niausa, soldiers immediately returned fire.

An Army camp in Arunachal was attacked last night by insurgents, reports said. Around 1am(local time) on Monday night insurgents fired on the Army base in Niausa, soldiers immediately returned fire, media reports said. There were no reports of any casualties.

Insurgents attack army camp in Arunachal, no casualties

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