Cong attacks Modi govt over ‘Chinese shelters in Depsang’

NEW DELHI: Citing media reports that China has built shelters in the Depsang area in Ladakh, the Congress on Saturday questioned the government’s “silence” over the issue and asked what steps were being taken by it to ensure status quo ante of April 2020.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his handshake with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Indonesia last month.

There was no immediate reaction from the government to the Congress’ allegations.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the government over the issue.

In a tweet, he said, “Narendra Modi ji gave CLEAN CHIT to China after 20 Indian bravehearts sacrificed their lives in Galwan. Another CLEAN CHIT is being drafted for brazen Chinese incursions & construction in Depsang plains,Pangong Tso Lake area & Gogra Hot Springs? Nation deserves answers PM ji.”

While the Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the border issues with China, officials have maintained that India has significantly enhanced its border infrastructure in recent years with the Centre giving a major boost to such efforts following the eastern Ladakh standoff.

“On November 15, Modi had met Xi Jinping, the Chinese head of state. He was not showing angry red eyes, he was in fact adorning a red shirt and I wonder what he talked about as he met Xi Jinping after the supreme sacrifice of 20 of our bravehearts,” Shrinate said at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here.

Citing media reports, she said that in the area of Depsang, China has built temperature-regulated “shelters” that help any army personnel to be stationed permanently.

“Two hundred such shelters have been built by China in our territory 15-18 km inside the LAC (Line of Actual Control),” she alleged.

Why has there not been a single statement from Prime Minister Modi, his government or the Ministry of External Affairs, Shrinate asked.

“Remember, Depsang and Demchok are extremely strategic places for us. Also, remember China continues to occupy large parts of territory in the Depsang area,” she said.

Shrinate also showed photographs of what she said were satellite images showing that China is doing “huge fortification” both on land and at sea.