No one in our territory, no post held: PM

Modi says Army given freedom to take necessary steps; Opposition questions Centre’s handling of crisis

No one entered Indian territory nor were Indian posts taken over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday on the sixweek border stand-off with China, as he briefed political leaders about the killing of 20 soldiers in the Galwan valley that triggered a massive escalaton in tension between the two countries. He said the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice taught a “lesson” to those who had dared to look towards India and that the Army has been given “freedom” to take necessary steps.

“At the outset, the Prime Minister clarified that neither is anyone inside our territory nor is any of our post captured,” the government said in a statement. The categorical statement came in the wake of reports that Chinese military has transgressed into the Indian side of the LAC in eastern Ladakh including Pangong Tso and Galwan valley.

“While on the one hand, the Army has been given freedom to take necessary steps, India has also conveyed its position clearly to China through diplomatic means,” Modi said, adding that India has such capability that no one can even dare to look towards “an inch of our land”.

Modi said the entire country is hurt and angry at the steps taken by China and underscored that India wants peace and friendship, but upholding sovereignty is “foremost”.

Earlier, the Opposition supported the government over any steps that need to be taken to counter China. At least three parties — the RJD, AAP and MIM — were not invited to the meeting. Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the meeting should have come immediately after the government had been reportedly informed about the Chinese intrusion on May 5. She said that people were still in the dark about many aspects of the crisis. “On which date did the Chinese troops intrude? When did the government find out about the transgression? Was it on May 5 as reported, or earlier?”

She claimed that the government failed to use all avenues and the result was the loss of 20 lives. “The country would like an assurance that status quo ante would be restored... we would also like to be briefed on the preparedness of our defence forces.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “We will not bow to China. Don’t let it enter telecom. railway and aviation. We will face problems but we won’t allow them to enter.” BSP chief Mayawati stressed on taking appropriate measures on trade and investment to counter China.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “Government must ensure that divisive emotional passions, fake news etc are not encouraged,” and added the Opposition was awaiting a briefing on developments between April and June.