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NEW DELHI: The Indian Army on Monday denied reports of Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh. Days ago, the Nah tribal community in Arunachal had raised concerns over alleged Chinese incursions along the Line of Actual Control in Upper Subansiri district, claiming that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has occupied large parts of their traditional grazing, hunting and agricultural areas over the past six years. Nah Welfare Society (NWS) had also submitted a memorandum to the Subansiri deputy commissioner alleging the PLA’s occupation. “Our ancestral lands which were our hunting areas where we freely roamed and collected forest products few years back and our cattle grazing areas are now under the occupation of the Chinese PLA,” NWS President Keru Chader said. NWS also alleged Chinese activity had intensified over the past 10 to 15 years “with an intention to occupy as much land as possible”. It claimed Oying, Paniar, Marpan, Potrang and Tindingtang, all under traditional Nah control until 2020 have gradually come under Chinese occupation. Some of these sites are regarded as pilgrimage destinations by the community, the memorandum said.Issuing a strong rebuttal to reports carrying the details of the NWS memorandum, the Indian Army on Monday said, “We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by Chinese PLA and setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis.”
