India on Tuesday accepted that Chinese troops had entered its territory near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir last month, but stopped short of terming it as an incursion.
Defence Minister AK Antony said New Delhi has communicated to Beijing about the incident through diplomatic channels.
The minister however, like before, sought to play down the incident, saying troops from both sides enter into each other’s territory due to differences ion perception about the border.
Antony blames ‘perception’ for Chinese incursions
“Sometimes their troops enter our territory… sometimes our people go there. It is due to differences in perception,” Antony said.
He added that the government is trying to find a permanent solution to the problem, adding it has decided to constitute a mechanism to resolve the border issue. The mechanism will be in place in a matter of few months, he informed.
On August 25 this year, Chinese troops had entered into Indian territory in Chumar division of Nyoma sector, about 300 kms from Leh, during which they had destroyed some tents of grazers and unused Army bunkers.
The troops had also painted rocks with ‘red star’ – insignia of People’s Liberation Army – during their incursion.
A report of the Jammu and Kashmir government and that of the Central security agencies, sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, said two Chinese helicopters had entered one-and-a-half km into Indian airspace on August 25 and made a landing after a dozen PLA troops had deplaned and dismantled the bunkers and tents. The helicopters had landed at Chumar in Chingthang area of Tehsil Nyoma, northeast of Leh in J&K.
Antony blames ‘perception’ for Chinese incursions
According to the reports, the Chinese troops left some cigarette packets and also painted the ‘red star’ bearing the Chinese characters for ‘Eight One’, a move aimed at displaying that the area belonged to them.
“Eight One” marks the birth of PLA which came into existence on August 1, 1927. After the incident came to light, the ITBP personnel removed the tell-tale signs.
Earlier, senior Army officials had also said that Chumar was an area were the LAC was not clearly demarcated and there was always a difference of perception in the area.
Chinese troops had earlier in July 2009 entered nearly 1.5 km into Indian territory near Mount Gya, recognised as international border by India and China, and painted the boulders and rocks with red spray paint.
The incursions were reported from the area, generally referred in the Chumar sector in east of Leh, and painted ‘Chinaa’ in Cantonese with Red spray paint all over the boulders and rocks. On June 21 in 2009, a Chinese helicopter had entered the Indian airspace and is reported to have air-dropped canned food again at Chumar.