Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Sep 12: The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) has demanded an apology from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and State Home Minister Mama Natung, alleging that their statements on reports of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity and alleged encroachment in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district were misleading.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Saturday, AFTF chairman Tadak Nallo said the organisation had visited Taksing, Maza and Gelemo areas and interacted with local residents to assess the situation.
Nallo claimed that PLA movements had increased in the Shera sector since 2018 and alleged that areas identified as Shera 2 (Asha Pilla), Shera 3, Shera 4 and Shera 5 had come under Chinese control. He said these areas were traditionally used by the Nah and Mra communities and were previously covered by long-range patrols of the Indian Army.
He alleged that the issue had been brought to the attention of the State and Central governments and local authorities by local residents and the Nah Welfare Society since 2021, but adequate action had not been taken.
Nallo further claimed that Indian security forces faced difficulties in reaching the border areas due to the lack of proper tracks, while the Chinese side had road connectivity.
He urged the government to immediately construct at least porter tracks to facilitate movement and supply of essential commodities to security personnel deployed in the frontier areas and to take measures to prevent any further alleged encroachment.
Nallo also called for verification of the ground situation in consultation with local communities, stating that traditional inhabitants possessed knowledge of their ancestral lands and the terrain.
He alleged that instead of addressing the concerns, attempts were being made to suppress the issue and urged the government to ascertain the actual ground situation.