More Chinese transgression possible, says AK Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday did not rule out more transgressions from the Chinese side, but insisted on quick and amicable solution to such disputes because of an agreement that India signed with China a couple of months ago.

“Our decision is to maintain peace and tranquillity. We can not rule out the possibility of any incident (transgression) as the boundary is very long. But, both sides should come together and resolve it amicably,” Antony said on Monday on the sidelines of Vijay Diwas celebrations to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

The defence minister's comments came days after PLA troops detained three Indian shepherds at the Chumar sector in Jammu and Kashmir, when they crossed the Line of Actual Control in search of their horses, which had strayed into the other side of the border. They returned after local commanders from both sides discussed the issue in a flag meeting.
“Civilians were involved in the incident and the issue was resolved amicably by the Army under the existing mechanism,” said an Army official.

Chumar remains one of the most active areas on the LAC in terms of transgressions by the Chinese troops. Located 300 km from Leh, it is an area of discomfort for the Chinese troops as this is the only place along the Sino-Indian border where they do not have a direct access to the LAC. India is at an advantageous position in Chumar.

India and China had signed a border defence cooperation agreement to prevent any flare up between the two sides along the LAC.  The defence minister said the Indians apprehended by the PLA troops were civilians and not Army personnel and the matter was resolved amicably.