WHAT is happening at the China border, BJP asks PM

The government on Friday said it has nothing to conceal on the issue of Chinese incursion, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party accused it of "weak response".

"The government has nothing to hide, nothing to conceal. This is a matter of national interest, national importance. Everything will be made clear. As and when it is required, we will discuss it," he said.

BJP leader Prakash Javadekar attacked the government, saying that it may maintain that nothing has happened, but reports emanating from the border and the account by eyewitnesses claim the "Indian Army is being prohibited from patrolling in areas inside the Line of Control on the Indian side".

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"The situation on the China border and reports from the China border are very disturbing. We and the whole country are concerned about what is happening on the border. We can definitely resolve the issue. But there has to be political will and preparedness by the government. But there is a complete lack of will. I fail to understand why the government is adopting such a weak response towards China," Javadekar said.

He referred to the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Russia to attend the G-20 summit, where the Chinese leadership is also present, and asked, "Why is he not talking to the Chinese leader and calling a spade a spade? We demand that the prime minister must talk to his Chinese counterpart."

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A committee set up by the prime minister -- to assess the situation on the China border -- is understood to have reported that Indian troops are not being allowed to patrol up to the perceived Line of Actual Control by the Chinese Army.

The team, headed by National Security Advisory Board Chairman Shyam Saran, visited Ladakh between August 2 and August 9 to review border infrastructure development and the situation there.

The panel has reportedly said that Chinese troops have built motorable roads inside the LAC and patrolling by Indian troops was being prevented.

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The issue was raised in Lok Sabha on Thursday by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, who said media reports have quoted the committee as having concluded that 640 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by China.

Expressing his concern over the issue, Javadekar said the government should immediately give a statement on what is happening on the border with China and clarify the situation.

"We will raise it at all available forums. So many such incidents are happening at the border with China, now there are reports of even terrorists getting arms from China," he said.

"After all, the defence committee is a live platform and we must take up what is happening to Indian Navy, the fire at Vizag, the drowning of the submarine Sindhurakshak, Chinese border incursion, prohibiting the Indian Army from patrolling and Pakistan border issues. There are so many such developments in the recent times," the BJP leader said.

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