Reveal the truth about Ladakh
Is questioning the Centre about the developments in the border area of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh an anti-national act? By terming as ‘anti-national’ Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand that the truth about the border standoff in the Eastern Ladakh region should be revealed, the Centre is avoiding presenting the true picture before the nation. In similar such situations with regard to border disputes with Pakistan, the Centre has always adopted a belligerent stand by citing the country’s sovereignty. It had even convened a press conference to make an announcement about surgical strikes. Though the Centre later failed to answer questions regarding the actual outcome of the surgical strike and the number of terrorists killed in the operation, several ministers of the Modi cabinet repeatedly issued statements about the surgical strikes, some of them even posing a security threat to the country by revealing too many details.
But in the present stand-off with China, Prime Minister Modi has not made any statement and the Opposition is being attacked for seeking clarifications. The External Affairs ministry has now indicated that the talks between the Indian and Chinese army held on June 6 to ease the tense situation between the two countries was “disappointing” and “incomplete.” ANI, the news agency that is usually the first to release government news, in its tweet on June 9, quoting senior government officials, stated that both Indian and Chinese army were withdrawing forces from different points of East Ladakh. According to the tweet, China’s People Liberation Army has withdrawn by 2.5 kms its Army and Naval forces from the Galwan patrolling point 15 and HotSpring areas. Contradicting this, in a statement released on June 7, the external affairs ministry only said that the border talks are going to be long drawn and the only way to address the border dispute is by taking small steps ahead.
The withdrawal of Chinese forces from LAC is a huge win for the military and political strategies of the Narendra Modi government. With this, the government has the credit of restoring the situation to pre-April 2020 times. Despite this, the handling of the border situation by the Centre and the Indian army has given rise to several significant questions. The silence of the Modi government of the last several weeks with regard to the border dispute around the LAC in Eastern Ladakh has cast aspersions about the way the situation was handled. Should India pay the price for withdrawal of troops from both the sides?
The Centre has not revealed any detail about the modalities of understanding reached with the Chinese military officials and also concessions handed over to the Chinese army about the deployment of local military forces and the development of basic infrastructure facilities in the borders. It has also been refusing to divulge details about the actual insurgence of Chinese forces through the LAC in East Ladakh. The government is deliberately hiding these issues from the people fearing political consequences.
Despite several bilateral agreements and talks, China has always been giving excuses and refusing to recognize the LAC border. It has consistently deployed forces around the Galwan, Hot Springs, and Pangong Tsu areas and has obstructed Indian forces from patrolling the area. China’s main political agenda is to constantly raise unresolved border issues and enter border areas illegally and display its prowess over India. Its objective is to make sure that India does not emerge as its strong political, military, and economic force at the international level. Its other strategy is to silence India over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), South China Ocean, and Indo-Pacific disputes and make sure that India does not develop basic infrastructure around border areas.
Contrary to the claims of the government that the tension around the border area has eased, experts hold the view that the border dispute in LAC, Eastern Ladakh, has not been resolved. Whatever be the truth, the statements of the Modi government and the Indian Army do not sound credible anymore. It appears that the Indian government has supported the stand of the Chinese government, thereby sending wrong signals to the international community.
In such a situation, the Modi government should take into confidence the Indian Parliament and the people of the country. The Prime Minister should hold talks with the Army and update the people regularly about the actual developments that are taking place in border areas. It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to resolve the doubts and put at rest the anxiety of the people that the border dispute has triggered.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
