Last Civilian Journey on India-China Border: Military Preparations of Both Countries on Arunachal Pradesh Front
In Ladakh, on India's western border, thousands of Chinese and Indian troops have been pitted against each other for the past year and a half with all their military equipment. Despite several rounds of talks, tensions have not been resolved.
Meanwhile, in the midst of this tense situation, both the forces are now engaged in extraordinary war preparations on the frontline of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
On December 30, China renamed 15 districts, mountains and rivers in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. He says the names have been changed to reflect China's sovereignty and history, and will now be used in China's national maps and textbooks.
The announcement was made two days before China enacted the new Borderland Act.
Under the new law, the Chinese government is asked to take steps to bring the territories claimed by China under its control. But India has rejected the announcement of naming the areas of Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese. India says changing names does not change reality.
Arunachal Pradesh issue between India and China
Arunachal Pradesh is the last state in the northeast of India. The state has a 1,000-kilometer border with China.
China claims most of the region in the state. But despite these claims and counter-claims, the region has been generally peaceful in the past.
But the situation is changing rapidly after a bloody clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Gulwan Valley a year and a half ago.
A few weeks ago, an Indian TV channel reported that Chinese forces had built a large village for military purposes within the Arunachal Pradesh border.
Last month, the US Department of Defense said in a report that the Chinese military had built new military bases and villages in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The report states that Chinese forces are engaged in large-scale military construction near the border.
Tapir Gao, an MP from the ruling BJP's border region of Michoacn, has long been briefing the government on Chinese military activity.
"Since the 1962 war, China has been occupying the Arunachal Pradesh region," he said. I raised this issue many times but no action was taken. Now it has passed a new border law. Under it, the land he owns and the land he claims will belong to him.
Pasi Ghat MP Nanang Ering says relations with China used to be very good, but China's attitude has changed since the military clashes in Doklam in 2017 and Ladakh in June 2020. "It simply came to our notice then. Chinese troops have made great preparations on the Line of Control. India has also responded by delivering artillery, heavy guns and other weapons to the border.
Military preparations in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh
Military activity in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh has intensified over the past several months. But due to its remote location, detailed news could not be obtained from there.
China's border areas are very remote. The population is very small. The whole route is surrounded by high mountains and dense forests. There are no signs of population in the distance.
Along the way is a town called Hao Liang, near the border, where there is a large Indian army base.
In the 1962 war, Chinese troops occupied a large area here. Thousands of Indian soldiers were killed defending the region. A 'War Museum' has been built here in his memory.
Kahu village is a short distance from here. This is the last civilian population on the India-China border. Not far from here, the population of China is visible. Next to it are the high mountains, over which the LAC passes. The whole region is ruled by the military.
Kahu will hardly have eight, ten houses. Locals say that much of the Chinese village of Tatoo was formerly part of India.
A local resident, Chuchi Meor, pointing to a Chinese village, told that the field in front of the village was Indian. ''China is the first to send villagers to take over the land.'' They build houses and farms, which are later replaced by Chinese troops. So they took one to one and a half kilometers.
In such a difficult situation, it is difficult to find a home in the midst of military tensions. "Cars can be seen passing through the fields in the Chinese village of Tatoo," said Kheeti Peacock, Sarpanch of Kahu. Roads are paved in front of the fields. Vehicles pass in the middle.
There are two or three high-rise mobile towers in Tattoo. There is nothing here for India. This tattoo belongs to all of India.
"The whole region is under military control. Some people who are here refrain from talking about the changing situation here. Large-scale military activity can be seen everywhere.
New roads, bridges, barracks and tourist attractions
In response to China's claim, the Indian government is now turning Kahu villages into a tourist destination. There are now 'stay homes' being built in every house for tourists to stay. The government itself is building a tourist lodge.
A new Phoebe Bridge has been built near the lodge. Civilians will not be allowed to proceed beyond this point. Only Indian and Chinese troops are stationed in the PLA. China has built large-scale barracks, towers and military bases near the LAC.
During the journey to Kahu and the neighboring village of Kabitho, the road was being widened everywhere. A new road is being built across the mountains to move heavy military equipment, trucks, machinery and troops. And the existing roads are being improved.
Dozens of new bridges are being built to replace the old ones. Lakhim Soo Belai, a resident of Waling, said China has built a lot of new infrastructure. New bridges are being built on this side to replace the old ones, new roads are being built and they are being built very fast.
For the past three months, the Indian Army has been installing missiles, M-Triple Seven, Howitzer cannons and L-70 anti-aircraft heavy guns on a massive mountain range. Stripes have been enlarged in Anjao, Debang Valley, Shi Yumi, Upper Subin Seri and Tawan districts. New helicopters, drones, multi-barrel guns and rocket launchers are being installed near the fronts.
China approved a new border law, New Border Land Law, in October. It came into effect on January 1. Just two days before its enactment, China has historically identified 15 residential areas, ravines and rivers in Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese. India has rejected it but its concerns have increased.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that in the kind of uncertainty on the border, no possibility can be ruled out.
Indian Army has issued Operation Alert in Arunachal Pradesh.