Narendra Modi keeping mum over presence of Chinese military in PoK: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress today demanded a statement from the Centre on reports of heavy presence of Chinese military in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, saying the government cannot keep mum over the "strategic encirclement" of India.

"We demand the government make a comprehensive statement on this and the Prime Minister shows his 'red eyes' to a belligerent China and Pakistan," party spokesman Pramod Tewari told reporters.

He said it was strange that while reports confirm heavy Chinese military presence across the LoC in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir ( PoK), but "our supposedly hyper nationalist government let this strategic encirclement happen."

While the Hurriyat has come out in open support of the Chinese presence in PoK, he said the government is yet to inform the country of the steps that it has taken in shape of overt military or diplomatic measures to stop this "blatant militarisation" in PoK.

These are "disturbing developments" detrimental to India's strategic interests, he said attacking government's "flip-flop" in its approach towards Pakistan.

Turning to the devastation caused by unseasonal rains and hailstorm in parts of North India, the party also demanded the Prime Minister make an immediate statement about the steps that the government is taking for ameliorating the condition of the farmers.

The party also wanted the Centre to send teams to all the affected states to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of damage, and recovery of loans of the farmers be immediately suspended for six months.