Amid tensions with China, MHA reviews progress of road construction along LAC

On Monday, Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed progress of construction of over 30 roads along Line of Actual Control. This assumes significance at a juncture when both India and China are at loggerheads over violent faceoff in Galwan valley area. As per sources, meeting focused on speeding up 32 strategic roads in region which were scheduled to be completed in 2019. 

Additionally, projects in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand were also reviewed in meeting. Officials from Border Road Organisation and ors participated in MHA meeting. Earlier in day, ar round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China commenced at Moldo. 

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Violent clash

20 Indian Army soldiers including a Commanding Officer were martyred when a violent faceoff took place on June 15 when de-escalation process was underway in  Galwan Valley. As per Editor-in-Chief of Chinese newspaper Global Times, Chinese side also suffered casualties during physical clash. Sources revealed that an Indian colonel was attacked by Chinese Army personnel without any provocation leading to a strong retaliation from Indian side.

This physical hand-to-hand combat went on for many hours on Monday, sources revealed. On June 18, Indian Army revealed that a total of 76 personnel had been injured out of which 18 admitted to Leh hospital can resume duty in about 15 days. As per Army,  remaining 58 soldiers should be back on duty within a week's time. 

Read: India-China Corps Commander Talks On; Finger Areas In Pangong Remain Bone Of Contention

All-party meet held

During all-party meeting on June 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that neir anyone had intruded into Indian land r taken over any post of country. After this statement came in for criticism from opposition leaders, PMO clarified that his observations pertained to situation as a consequence of bravery of Indian Armed Forces. It stated that soldiers of 16 Bihar Regiment had foiled Chinese attempt to erect structures on Indian side of LAC. PMO added that Union government would t allow any unilateral change of LAC.

Read: China Admits Casualties, Says Commanding Officer Was Killed In Galwan Clash: Sources

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