A claim that Chinese troops have moved 40 to 50 km into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district remains unverified amid conflicting accounts from a state Congress delegation, the state government, the Indian Army and Union minister Kiren Rijiju.
Arunachal Pradesh Congress president and former education minister Bosiram Siram alleged that Chinese People’s Liberation Army personnel had advanced deep into Indian territory and were stationed at intervals near border areas. Siram said a Congress delegation led by him travelled from Itanagar through Nacho to Limeking and Taksing between August 26 and 29, where it spoke with local residents.
The delegation included Congress working president and former home minister Tanga Byaling and Upper Subansiri MP Jarodum Kri. Siram said the group’s observations and accounts from residents warranted a transparent investigation by the Centre and the Ministry of Defence. He alleged that Chinese activity had affected traditional livelihoods and access to areas used by local communities.
The central claim has not been independently established in the material supplied for this report. Chief Minister Pema Khandu said he did not believe an incursion was taking place. The Indian Army had earlier described a claim by the Nah Welfare Society that the PLA had expanded its presence near Taksing as incorrect and without basis.
The issue has generated several competing accounts in recent months. In August, a team from the People’s Party of Arunachal claimed that Indian patrols were being denied access to key points. Rijiju rejected a separate claim that China had intruded 60 km into Indian territory, while acknowledging increased Chinese activity on high ridges.
Siram also referred to recent remarks by ITBP Director General Shatrujit Singh Kapoor concerning face-off locations. He argued that repeated complaints from residents should not be dismissed as rumours and called for the facts to be established through an impartial, high-level probe.
The allegations include claims that sections of online maps no longer show certain areas and that places including Asaphila and other strategically important high-ground locations are under Chinese control. These assertions remain attributed to Siram and are not confirmed by the supplied material.
The dispute highlights the difficulty of independently assessing developments in remote border settlements, where access, patrol routes, mapping and traditional livelihood areas are central to local concerns. It also places renewed attention on how claims from residents and political delegations are checked against official security assessments.
No investigation or official finding confirming the alleged 40 to 50 km intrusion was cited in the report. The next substantive development would be an official assessment or documentary clarification from the Centre, the Ministry of Defence or security agencies.
