Politicians call for strong response from Centre on Galwan Valley face-off

It is time now for the Centre to take some stringent measures as each sign of weakness makes China’s reaction more “belligerent”, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Tuesday (June 16) after three soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in Ladakh.

“Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men should be killed or injured defending our borders,” he said.

An army officer and two soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on Monday.

“It is time now for India to stand up to these repeated incursions that are a blatant violation of our territorial rights and put a stop to such attacks on our territorial integrity,” the chief minister said in a statement in Chandigarh.

It is time now for the Govt of India to take some stringent measures. Each sign of weakness on our part makes the Chinese reaction more belligerent. I join the nation in paying tribute to our brave martyrs. The nation stands with you in your hour of grief. (2/2)

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 16, 2020

Expressing shock and anger, Singh in a tweet said, “The happening in the Galwan Valley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. It is time now for the government of India to take some stringent measures, he said.”

The chief minister asserted that every sign of weakness on the part of India makes the Chinese reaction more belligerent.

Related news: Galwan Valley face-off: Indian, Chinese officials meet to defuse situation

“It is important to defuse tensions at the border and India is not in favour of war, but the country cannot afford to show weakness at this time and needs to take a strong stand to deter the Chinese from any further intrusions and attacks on India’s territories and men,” Singh said.

“Even after brutally beating the Indian Army commanding officer and two soldiers to death, Beijing is feigning innocence, and trying to put the blame on India, accusing it of provoking the conflict through unilateral actions,” the chief minister said.

The happening in the #Galwanvalley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men are being killed and injured defending our borders. (1/2)

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 16, 2020

“Such a reaction on the part of China was typical of its duplicity,” he said, adding that the escalation of tensions in the Ladakh sector of the Indo-China border were the direct consequence of the incursions by Chinese troops into Indian territory.

The Chinese actions were in direct violation of all the treaties signed between the two countries and a brazen assault on Indian integrity, Singh said.

He urged the central government to take suitable steps to send out a strong message that it would not take such attacks lying down.

Referring to developments on the Indo-Pak and Indo-Nepal borders in recent weeks, the chief minister said the country is clearly surrounded by forces seeking to destabilize its peace by taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis.

Related news: Backstory of Ladakh’s Galwan Valley and the legend of Rassul Galwan

“Let them be warned that India will not compromise on national security at any cost, and is capable of combating external challenges even as it continues to battle the pandemic internally,” he asserted.

Paying tributes to the soldiers who had lost their lives in the Galwan Valley violence, Singh said the whole nation today stands with the Indian Army in their hour of grief.

On June 5, too, the chief minister had urged the Centre to take a tough stand on the continuing border stand-off with China if the neighbouring country was not responding to diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.

A jawan hailed from Tamil Nadu

Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the main opposition DMK, condoled the incident and paid rich tributes to their supreme sacrifice.

Hailing the sacrifice of the three Army men, DMK president M K Stalin offered his salutations to the brave men and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

One of the soldiers hailed from Kadukkalur village in Ramanathapuram district of southern Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that he had served the Army for 22 longs years.

Vaiko, a Rajya Sabha MP, paid rich tributes to the three Army men and hailed their supreme sacrifice.

#LadakhBorder பகுதியில் சீன இராணுவம் தாக்கியதில், பாதுகாப்பு பணியில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்த இராமநாதபுரம் – கடுக்கலூர் கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தமிழக வீரர் திரு.பழனி அவர்கள் உயிரிழந்த செய்தியறிந்து மிகுந்த வேதனை அடைந்தேன். வீரமரணம் எய்திய பழனி அவர்களின் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்!

— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) June 16, 2020

Extending his condolences to their bereaved kin, he said the Tamil Nadu soldier who was killed had spoken to his wife on the day of the attack.

The Army man from Tamil Nadu is survived by his wife and two children, he said, adding the slain soldier was about to retire in a year following 22 years of service.

AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran, paying rich tributes to the three Army personnel, said their killing was an act of cowardice by the Chinese military.

The AMMK chief also referred to the sacrifice of the Tamil Nadu soldier and said he bowed to his sacrifice and condoled the deaths of the Army men.

BJP MP appeals for public support

BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar came out strongly against the death of an Indian Army soldiers and appealed to people to support the armed forces.

In a series of tweets, Chandrasekhar, who is a former member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, hit out at China and the Communist Party of China (CCP) over the incident.

The BJP Rajya Sabha member called upon people to “get behind the men and women in our armed forces and support them strongly, unitedly and patiently.”

Related news: India, China’s choreographed disputes on border seem risky, but safe

He also appealed to the people not to let politics or any other thing dilute Indian unity against China.

“I want to tell the CCP side – India has never clashed with any nation – but when violence is forced on it, it will respond fittingly and unitedly,” he tweeted.

Congress terms the incident shocking

The Congress termed the unfortunate incident as shocking and unacceptable and said the development is a matter of serious national concern.

While asking Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the incident, the party also demanded that the government take the nation into confidence and convene a meeting to brief the leadership of political parties about the ground situation.

“It is a matter of serious national concern as it has grave implications for national security,” Congress senior spokesperson and party’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said.

“As we have been requesting, the government should urgently take the nation into confidence. We demand that the government immediately convene a meeting and brief the leadership of political parties about the ground situation,” he said.

“Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable! Will the Raksha Mantri confirm,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter.

चीनी सैनिकों द्वारा हमला कर हमारे उच्च सैनिक अधिकारी व जवानों को हताहत करने की खबरों से पूरा देश क्षुब्ध है, शौकाकुल है व रोष में है पर प्रधानमंत्री मोदी जी और रक्षा मंत्री ने पूरी तरह से चुप्पी साध ली है।

क्या यही राजधर्म है?

देश को जबाब क्यों नही देते?#WeakestPMModi
1/n

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 16, 2020

Sharma, a former union minister, alleged that there has been no transparency on the part of the government on the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops.

He said the inviolability of the LAC and India’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable.

Shiv Sena demands clarity

The Shiv Sena demanded clarity on the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh, saying the Union government needs to take the “elected opposition” into confidence.

Sena deputyleader Priyanka Chaturvedi also said, on Twitter, that the government should not feed “propaganda” to the media.

“Dear GOI, you have the best interest in mind but we need clarity. The nation stands with you in solidarity but they deserve to know,” she tweeted.

“It isn’t a good idea even strategically to not take the elected opposition in confidence. Lastly do not feed propaganda to the media. Just facts,” she added.

“My tribute and salute to our brave men, who are at the forefront with all their courage and their heart full of love for the nation. Hope to see an urgent solution soon, for our nations honour,” the Sena leader said.

Disturbing clash: Former PM Deve Gowda  

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda termed as disturbing the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley and said the government should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue.

He sought to know as to how Indian soldiers lost their lives during a de-escalation process and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clearer picture.

“Reports coming from #GalwanValley are disturbing. Why did our soldiers lose their lives during a de-escalation process? In national interest, the PM and RM should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue with the Chinese. #LADAKHSTANDOFF,” Gowda tweeted.

Reports coming from #GalwanValley are disturbing. Why did our soldiers lose their lives during a de-escalation process? In national interest, the PM and RM should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue with the Chinese. #LADAKHSTANDOFF

— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) June 16, 2020

Tharoor expressed shock

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that he was shocked to know about the violent face-off and urged the Centre to handle the situation in a resolute manner.

“The tragic news from Ladakh is shocking & calls for resolute handling by our Govt. Meanwhile let us bow our heads in tribute to the three martyrs who gave their lives to protect India, & honour those who serve on our borders every day, risking their lives for our nation. #JaiHind,” he said on Twitter.

The tragic news from Ladakh is shocking & calls for resolute handling by our Govt. Meanwhile let us bow our heads in tribute to the three martyrs who gave their lives to protect India, & honour those who serve on our borders every day, risking their lives for our nation. #JaiHind

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 16, 2020

Matter of utmost urgency: Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, while expressing his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the three martyrs, urged the government to take this matter with utmost urgency and seriousness.

I urge the Govt of India to take this matter with utmost urgency and seriousness.

— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) June 16, 2020

Mamata grieves death of soldiers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the death of Indian soldiers at the Sino-India border in the Galwan Valley.

“I salute the valour of the three Indian soldiers who were martyred at #GalwanValley while performing a supreme service for the nation. My heart goes out to the families of these brave men. May lord give them strength in this difficult time,” Banerjee said in a tweet posted earlier in the day.

I salute the valour of the three Indian soldiers who were martyred at #GalwanValley while performing a supreme service for the nation. My heart goes out to the families of these brave men. May lord give them strength in this difficult time.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 16, 2020

The Army said India lost an officer and two soldiers during the violent face-off, while there were casualties on the Chinese side as well.

Related news: China lodges protest with India over violent face-off in Galwan Valley

The extent of casualties on the Chinese side is not immediately clear.

According to a senior military officer, it is the first incident involving the casualty of an Indian soldier in a violent clash with the Chinese Army after 1975 when four Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush at Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh along the de-facto border between the two countries.

Official sources said there was no firing between the two sides.