Not first case of intrusion, but this time it's 'different'

The Chinese intrusion in Ladakh has become the latest instance of a face-off between the two countries, but in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, incursions are almost the norm. HT reports. In the Past

The Chinese intrusion in Ladakh has become the latest instance of a face-off between the two countries, but in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, incursions are almost the norm.

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Chief ministers and MPs of the state have several times tried to draw the central government's attention towards the issue, but have only tasted limited success. The People's Liberation Army, they claim, habitually crosses over, taking advantage of the Himalayan terrain which is tough to monitor from the Indian side.

"In 2011, the Chinese army made at least four incursions in Arunachal Pradesh," said parliamentarian from the state Takam Sanjoy.

What sets the recent Ladakh incident apart, however, is that this did not appear to be just another transgression.

As soon as Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel noticed Chinese forces on this side of the Line of Actual Control, they followed the drill of showing them banners indicating that they had crossed over.

Security sources said the ITBP did not realise that the Chinese were quietly pitching their tent. "We spotted the tent later when an aerial survey was carried out," an official said, pointing the move had intrigued them.

In previous instances, the Chinese would usually step back after registering their presence. The ITBP too has set up a tent, about 300-500 metre away.

The security establishment believes that a diplomatic initiative appeared to be the only way to break the logjam.