The recent Chinese intrusion into India in the Depsang area of Western Sector in ladakh region by about 19 kilometers and stay by establishing their posts, has caused a stir in Indian minds. It naturally raises the question as to how it has happened and what action the Indian Government is taking to force them to go back behind lAC, so far being maintained and what are the Chinese intentions.
The Chinese denial that their troops did not enter Indian territory and agreeing to hold Flag meeting between the two countries appears a cover-up story. Meanwhile, veteran army and para-military officers strongly believe that the Indian Government should sort out this matter on priority in order to avoid 1962 episode again in the near future.
Expressing his views, veteran top brass of Indian Army, Brig (Retd) KG Behl, President, Dehradun Ex-services league, said that so far Chinese have carried out many intrusions in different parts, but when challenged by Indian troops, they had gone back, leaving no trace of any intrusion.
“It is good that our Army Chief has personally gone there to verify the facts, but it was expected that by the time he visits the place, Chinese must have made sure that no trace of their encroachment is left there. But it is surprising that they have crossed the lAC and are claiming that area as their own, saying that they have not crossed the Indo-China boundary where as the fact remains that they have crossed lAC,” he said.
He adding that every time such intrusions take place and Chinese pulled back, people were made to believe that no such thing happened to cover up the story, by various ministries concerned, in a diplomatic way. He stressed that it is good idea to avoid direct confrontation by projecting fingers as to how strong and well-built they are but this time, they are refusing to go back claiming the territory as their own. He strongly felt that the Indian Government must put full pressure on China and raise the level of negotiations to ensure that the Chinese troops go back behind lAC in order to avoid repetition of 1962 episode. Sharing the same sentiments, IG (Retd) SS Kothiyal from BSF, and former Army Officer, said that Indian Government should draft concrete plans to improve infrastructure including rail and road network along lAC in order to send troops in a no time, in case of external aggression.
He too highlighted that the Union Government should tackle the matter very seriously and to gain the attention of international community. Having experience of serving defence forces during war-time in 1962, 1965 and 1971, IG Kothiyal said that the Government should also make concrete plans to avoid such incidents in the near future and further strengthening the patrolling along lAC.
Expressing his views over the Chinese intrusion along lAC, another veteran army officer, lt Col (Retd) GS Rawat said that despite the fact that the Indian Army is now fully capable and equipped with latest weapons and communication system to resist external aggression, the government should try to solve the matter with the help of bilateral talks and should gain the attention of international community.
“It may be happening perhaps because our troops are not patrolling those areas vigorously. Though the government has announced raising of more divisions in such areas but it appears from this incident that the plans are still in pipeline and are yet to be executed,” he said, adding that Government must execute these plans expeditiously to prevent such incidents and supplement those immediately.