Congress state chief claims China entered 50 km into Arunachal Pradesh, CM Pema Khandu fact-checks

Arunachal Pradesh Congress president Bosiram Siram has alleged that Chinese troops have advanced 40 to 50 km into Indian territory in Upper Subansiri district, a claim rejected by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who said he did not believe an incursion was taking place, as per a TOI report. This is the second recent claim by a Congress leader about developments along the India-China border after Bihar Congress communication chief Ritu Choudhary made an allegation involving Indian Army troop movements that the Army subsequently debunked.

Siram, a former state education minister, said a Congress delegation visited border areas between August 26 and 29, travelling from Itanagar through Nacho to Limeking and Taksing. The delegation, which included Congress working president and former home minister Tanga Byaling and Upper Subansiri MP Jarodum Kri, spoke with local residents during the visit.

Bosiram Siram calls for an impartial probe into China incursion claims

Siram alleged that Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel had advanced deep into Indian territory and were stationed at different points in the border region. He claimed that Chinese troops occupied elevated positions while Indian forces were positioned below them.


The Congress leader also alleged that areas had disappeared from online maps and come under Chinese control, including Asaphila and strategically important high ground. He said the situation reported by residents warranted a transparent, high-level investigation by the Centre and the Ministry of Defence.

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Siram questioned why local residents continued to raise concerns if no intrusion or aggressive activity had occurred. He called for an impartial fact-finding exercise rather than dismissing the allegations as rumours.

He also referred to recent remarks by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujit Singh Kapoor concerning face-off locations, arguing that reports from people living in border areas required closer examination.

Siram further alleged that Chinese PLA activity had disrupted residents’ lives and traditional livelihoods. He urged the central government and the Defence Ministry to take steps to safeguard the border and protect the rights, livelihoods and traditionally used areas of local communities.

Earlier allegations of Chinese activity in Arunachal Pradesh

The latest claim follows earlier allegations concerning Chinese activity near Taksing in Upper Subansiri district. In June, the Nah Welfare Society raised concerns that the PLA had expanded its presence in the area. The Indian Army rejected that claim as incorrect and without any basis.

In August, a team from the People's Party of Arunachal alleged that Indian patrols were being prevented from accessing key points along the border. Union minister Kiren Rijiju also rejected a claim of a 60-km Chinese intrusion, while acknowledging increased Chinese activity on high ridges.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu has rejected Siram’s latest allegation, saying he did not believe an incursion was taking place. The claims made by the Congress leader remain allegations and should be distinguished from independently established facts about the situation along the border.

Second Congress leader to make a border-related claim

Bihar Congress leader and AICC communication coordinator Ritu Choudhary sparked controversy after sharing two videos making claims about Chinese activity along the India-China border.

One alleged that Chinese vehicles had entered Indian territory, while the other claimed China had captured Asaphila, Longju and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh and that Indian Army troops were being denied essential supplies.

The Indian Army debunked both claims, clarifying that the first video showed commercial vehicles at the authorised border trade point at Nathu La in Sikkim, while the second was a digitally manipulated clip using archival footage from a 2023 press briefing in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. Union minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the posts and demanded an apology.