ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Adivasi Congress (AAC) has accused the Centre of downplaying concerns over alleged Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and demanded the resignation of union Minister Kiren Rijiju.

In a statement, AAC state chairman Adv Tami Pangu said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has consistently raised issues concerning the rights of tribal communities and alleged Chinese incursions along the LAC in Parliament.

He alleged that instead of addressing these concerns, Rijiju has targeted Gandhi while denying reports of changes along the border.

The AAC claimed that residents in border districts, including Anjaw, Tawang and Upper Subansiri, have repeatedly reported Chinese construction activities near the LAC. It criticised statements made by the union minister and the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister regarding reports of alleged Chinese intrusion in Upper Subansiri, asserting that the concerns of border residents should not be ignored.

The organisation also referred to statements made in Parliament by BJP MP Tapir Gao in 2019 and 2020 regarding alleged Chinese occupation of areas in Arunachal Pradesh and the presence of PLA camps in Upper Subansiri.

It further listed a series of Chinese renaming exercises for locations in Arunachal Pradesh since 2017 and alleged that these form part of a broader attempt to challenge India’s sovereignty.

The AAC also cited several reported incidents of LAC transgressions and face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces from 2016 to 2024 in districts including Anjaw, Dibang Valley, Upper Subansiri, Upper Siang and Tawang.

Questioning the Centre’s response, the organisation alleged that the government continues to deny ground realities while attributing border issues to historical events. It claimed such denials undermine the confidence of border residents and security forces.

The AAC demanded that Rijiju issue an unconditional apology to the people of Upper Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh and the country, and resign on moral grounds.

It also urged the Government of India to constitute a Parliamentary panel to review the situation along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, including the status of border infrastructure, civilian settlements and security arrangements, and submit its findings to Parliament. (Source: UNI)