ARUNACHAL PRADESH: PARLIAMENTARY PANEL REASSURED OF ARMY’S FIRM RESOLVE TO GUARD TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on a two-day visit to Tawang to study the Sino-India relations including activities and border security situation along the LAC following the recent Doklam stand-off with China.

The Committee, during the interaction with various heads of security agencies posted in Tawang, was reassured of the Indian Army’s professionalism and firm resolve to guard the nation’s territorial integrity. The panel was briefed by Major General Rajesh Kumar Jha, General Officer Commanding, Ball of Fire Division at the Tawang Brigade.

Having witnessed the operational preparedness and high morale of the troops, the Committee was convinced that Indian Army is ready to respond to any contingency along the international border with a mightier force.

During their stay, the panel paid homage to the great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Maratha Ground Army Camp, located at an altitude of 12,200 feet in Tawang. The camp was established in 1983 by troops of Maratha Light Regiment of Army.

Tharoor, Chairperson of the Committee and Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, Member, Rajya Sabha who is also a descendent of Shivaji Maharaj, paid floral tributes to the great warrior on behalf of the entire Committee.

The Committee, which arrived at Tawang on 28^th May, also interacted with the Army officers and troops at the camp and appreciated Indian Army’s multifarious contribution in nation building, while maintaining the sanctity of line of actual control with China even in the most treacherous terrain and weather conditions.

The Committee members also visited the Tawang War Memorial and paid homage to 2420 martyrs of 1962 Sino-India war. They also visited the majestic Tawang Monastery and Dorjee Khandu Museum during their stay in Tawang.