NEW DELHI, Sept 6: Defence Minister A K Antony today came out with a strong denial of media report about National Security Advisory Board chairman Shayam Saran stating in a report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that China had occupied a part of Indian territory in the Ladakh region.
”I would like to state categorically that Mr Shyam Saran has not stated in this report that China has occupied, or has denied access to China to any part of Indian territory,” Mr Antony said in a statement in the Lok Sabha.
”There is no question of India cedeing any part of its territory to China,” Mr Antony said in response to the Opposition’s demand but failed to satisfy them, leading to noisy protests in the House.
The House, thereafter, was adjourned for an hour till 1400 hrs.
The Opposition had yesterday expressed great concern over the media report which claimed that Mr Saran in his report submitted to the Prime Minister had stated that China had occupied 640 sq km of Indian territory and was blocking access of Indian troops to the area.
Mr Antony said Mr Saran had visited Ladakh from August 2 to 9 this year and submitted a report on infrastructure in the region, a copy of which had been sent by the Prime Minister’s Office to the Defence Ministry, amomg others, on September 2.
The report’s main focus was on the border infrastructure, but it also dealt with several aspects relating to the region covering a ”broad spectrum of activities and requirement,” he said.
The report has reviewed progress in development of border infrastructure required to ensure connectivity betwen Ladakh and neighbouring areas, and discussed matters like availability of modern machinery for construction and maintenance of roads, their upgradation, tunelling and alternate alignments, the Defence Minister said.
He said requirement of air facilities in the region and issues relating to land acquisition and environment and wildlife have also been discussed.
The document also covered other issues like employment opportunities for local youth, mobile and internet connectivity, law and order, better equipment and facilities for ITBP, certain grievances of local peoeple, Mr Antony said.
Seeking to allay the apprehensions of the members, he said the government kept a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and took all necessary measures to safeguard it.
The Defence Minister sought to further assure the House, saying, ”The Government would continue to strengthen our capabilities in border areas to protect national interest.”
However, the main Opposition BJP, the SP and other opposition members were not satisfied with the Minister’s reply, and they wanted some clarifications, but Speaker Meira Kumar refused their demand and said they could give a notice if they wanted to discuss the matter further.
The BJP members, led by Yashwant Sinha, persisted in their demand and SP’s Mulayam Singh Yadav too was seen saying something in an agitated mood but his words were not audible in the prevailing din, but his party member Shailendra Kumar could be heard saying that the government was hiding something.
Ms Kumar made repeated appeals to them to go back to their seats and let the discussion on the Street Vendors Bill proceed. She asked Meena Singh of the JD(U) to speak on the Bill but the members continued their protest, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 1400 hrs.
(UNI)
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