NEW DELHI, May 30: There is an “urgent” need to increase the number of troops guarding the India-China border, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said and emphasised on strengthening infrastructure along the frontier in Arunachal Pradesh to match China.
Rijiju said there has not been enough deployment of forces like ITBP, which guards the Sino-Indian border, and there is urgent necessity to increase the number of troops, provide them sophisticated arms, ammunition and communication gadgets.
“Our infrastructure along the border has to be improved. More roads, bridges have to be constructed. Communication network has to be improved. China is far ahead of us,” he told reporters here.
The 42-year-old BJP MP from Arunachal West constituency hoped that visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India next month and top Chinese leadership later this year will herald a new era in India-China relationship.
“The talks have to be in equal terms,” he said.
Rijiju said in the past, there have been incidents of incursion into Indian territory by China and incursion of Chinese territory by India due to the difference in perception on international border.
“But, when the forces of the two countries meet at flag meetings, they always meet in very cordial atmosphere and try to resolve local issues amicably,” he said.
Referring to the harassment of people from the Northeast living in different parts of the country, the Minister said it was an area of concern and security to them must be ensured at any cost.
Rijiju said the Home Ministry will soon issue an advisory to all the states, where there is a sizeable number of people from the Northeast, to sensitise their police and take a serious note of any complaint of harassment, official sources said.
The Home Ministry will ask the states to ensure zero tolerance to any such harassment and take speedy steps on receiving any complaint of atrocity on people from Northeast and deploy adequate security personnel for their protection.
The states will be asked to hold regular seminar, workshop to sensitise local people about the culture, customs and way of life of the people from the Northeast and respect it. (PTI)
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