Centre to deploy 8,000 more ITBP men along China border in Arunachal

As part of its plan to boost the presence of security personnel and infrastructure along the China border, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, the NDA government has decided to deploy additional 8,000 men, open 35 new roads, create 54 border outposts and 72 staging camps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Union Home Ministry last week gave an ‘in principle’ nod to raise 16 additional battalions of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force.

Of these, 8000 men (around 8 battalions) will be deployed in the Northeast, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh.

Minister of State, Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju last week visited the inaccessible areas in Tawang and reviewed the situation. After the Ladakh sector in J&K, the Tawang area sees the maximum transgressions by the Chinese Army. Besides Arunachal, China shares border with India along Sikkim.

“During the time we hold fresh recruitment drives to enroll 16,000 men into the force, 8,000 of whom who will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh, we would start boosting our infrastructure in the state. There are 54 BOPs that have to be constructed. These will be built 50 km apart from each other. It is going to be a huge exercise,” said a senior Home Ministry official. Arunachal Pradesh currently has 45 BOPs.

The Ministry has also sent a proposal to the Finance Ministry to sanction funds for 35 border roads. In the first phase in 2008, the government had sanctioned 27 priority roads in the areas along China border. Of them, only two are complete. The second phase includes 49 new roads, of which clearance has been sought for 35. The third phase, which is yet to be implemented even on paper, has plans for 103 more roads. All these proposals of the Home Ministry will be sent to the Finance Ministry and then the China Study Group for final approval.

Source:: Indian Express