The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Friday paid homage to the 20 soldiers of Indian Army who laid their lives during the violent clashes that took place between the Indian and Chinese militaries at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15.
The programme here was organized as part of the Indian National Congress’s nationwide ‘Shaheedon Ko Salam Diwas’ campaign which was also observed in other parts of the country.
Addressing the party workers on the occasion, APCC general secretary and spokesperson, Mina Toko, called upon the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and the prime minister’s office (PMO) clearly state their position on Galwan Valley.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to delude the country by saying that the Chinese troops were evicted from the area and no Indian territory was in their possession. Then, the PMO came up with a lame attempt to obfuscate the truth. Both the PMO and government needs to clear their stand on the matter,” Toko said.
The Congress general secretary also questioned the Centre on why it was not coming forward and rebutting the Chinese claim over Galwan Valley.
“Is Galwan Valley not part of India territory? If the Chinese troops are present there, does it not amount to intrusion into and occupation of Indian Territory? The prime minister needs to follow ‘Raj Dharma’ and rise to the challenge of protecting the security and territorial integrity of the nation,” she said.
Earlier, the programme started with the lighting of lamp after which floral tributes were paid to the portraits of the martyrs by the rank and files of the APCC.
A two-minute silence was also observed in the memory and honour of the bravehearts.
Members of the Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, Youth Congress, Seva Dal were also present on the occasion.
A similar programme was also organized at Sagalee in Papum Pare district on the day in which former chief minister and APCC president Nabam Tuki and vice-president Techi Tagi participated.