MoD removes ‘China intrusion’ docu from website

The defence ministry on Thursday took down a document from its website that had for the first time officially acknowledged that Chinese troops had “transgressed” in at least three places in Ladakh and said the situation in the area due to “aggression by China” was “sensitive”, with the standoff likely to be “prolonged”.

There was no official word why the document uploaded on Tuesday was removed after two days.

This comes as the fourth and fifth round of corps commanders’ talks between India and China seems to have been unable to reach any major breakthrough on further disengagement in Pangong Tso and other friction areas.

The government is yet to come out with any statement on the outcome of the fifth corps commanders’ meeting last Sunday, that indicate difference between China and India on disengagement.

China has refused to move out its troops from Pangong Tso’s Finger area and the DepsangDaulat Beg Oldie sector.

The defence ministry document had said Chinese aggression has been increasing along the LAC and particularly in Galwan Valley since May 5.

“The Chinese side transgressed in the areas of Kugrang Nala, Gogra and north bank of Pangong Tso lake on 17-18 May,” it said. It added while engagement and dialogue at the military and diplomatic levels were continuing, “the present standoff is likely to be prolonged”.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continued his attack on the Narendra Modi government over its handling of the Ladakh situation and said in a tweet: “Denying China is in our territory and removing documents from websites won’t change the facts.”

Sources said China built up its forces not only in Ladakh but all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane is on a two-day visit to Tezpur and Lucknow to review the situation along the Chinese border in the Northeast.

◗ NO OFFICIAL word why the docu uploaded on Tuesday was removed after two days

◗ THIS COMES as the fourth & fifth round of corps commanders’ talks between India and China seems to have been unable to reach any major breakthrough on further disengagement in Pangong Tso and other friction areas