Indian Army Denies PLA Encroachment Claims by Arunachal's Nah Community
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A fresh diplomatic storm is brewing on the India-China frontier as the indigenous Nah community in Arunachal Pradesh Upper Subansiri district has formally accused China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) of building roads and military camps on their ancestral lands. The Nah Welfare Society (NWS) submitted photographic evidence to local authorities, alleging a systematic encroachment that has been ongoing for the past six years and significantly increased since 2020. However, the Indian Army has swiftly denied these claims, labeling the reports 'incorrect and without any basis'. The NWS detailed memorandum outlines alleged Chinese military infrastructure, including permanent roads and camps, across at least five locations in the Taksing revenue circle, some of which hold cultural and religious significance for the Nah people. This comes amid China's long-standing claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as 'South Tibet', and its rapid border infrastructure development, including the controversial 'Xiaokang villages'. These allegations surface despite recent high-level talks between India and China, including the 35th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), aimed at maintaining peace along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). In response to the NWS urgent plea, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung announced that a state committee would be formed to investigate the claims, pending an official report from the district administration. While Union Minister Kiren Rijiju acknowledged India's efforts to 'catch up' on border infrastructure, outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reiterated that the LAC remains stable yet sensitive, with over 1,100 annual military interactions designed to prevent misunderstandings. The coming weeks will likely see intense scrutiny on the ground, as both local and national authorities seek to verify the community's serious allegations against the backdrop of an already tense border.