The Arunachal Pradesh Congress has demanded transparency from the state government over allegations of Chinese intrusion and infrastructure activity in the Taksing sector, urging authorities to place verified facts before the public.
Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee working president Tanga Byaling rejected Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s concerns, saying national security should not become a political dispute between the BJP and Congress. He said people of Arunachal Pradesh needed facts, transparency and security rather than political rhetoric.
Byaling urged the government to clarify what was alleged, what had been independently verified, its assessment of the situation and the action taken. He also asked the government to explain its position on the McMahon Line, the Line of Actual Control and areas claimed by both India and China.
The Congress leader referred to allegations by the Nah Welfare Society regarding Chinese military activity and infrastructure in the Taksing sector. The Indian Army has subsequently rejected reports of recent Chinese encroachment as incorrect and baseless. Byaling said the conflicting claims made independent verification essential.
He sought a clear assessment of the ground situation in Taksing, reports from the district administration and security agencies, any changes in patrolling or traditional access routes, and steps taken to protect communities living along the frontier. He also urged Minister Nyato Dukam, who represents the area, to present the verified situation before the public.
Byaling reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that its territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
The Congress leader also sought greater transparency over the original and revised alignment of the Arunachal Frontier Highway, particularly in strategically sensitive areas. He questioned the reasons behind the changes, the technical and strategic justification for them, the authorities that approved the revised alignment and whether the changes could affect connectivity, surveillance or access to sensitive frontier locations.
He further demanded an independent, time-bound inquiry into any credible allegations involving land acquisition, contracts, compensation, tendering, expenditure or other irregularities related to the highway project.
Byaling said Congress was not claiming as an established fact that the revised alignment had created any “buffer zone”. However, he called for a comprehensive technical and strategic audit to determine whether any sensitive area had been left inadequately connected or monitored.
“A strategic highway cannot become a highway for corruption. Every kilometre constructed and every rupee spent must serve the national interest,” Byaling said.
