Beijing: China's construction activities on "its own territory" is "normal" and is entirely a matter of sovereignty, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said here on Thursday, reacting to a report about China building a new village in Arunachal Pradesh.

"China's position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan region (the southern part of China's Tibet), is consistent and clear. We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing while responding to a question.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India's consistent stand has been that the northeastern state is an integral and inalienable part of the country.

"China's normal construction on its own territory is entirely a matter of sovereignty," Hua was quoted as saying by the Chinese foreign ministry on its website in an updated statement.

In a report, NDTV news channel showed two images of the area in Arunachal Pradesh where it said a new village has been set up by China and it consisted of about 101 homes. According to the channel, the first image dated August 26, 2019 did not show any human habitation but the second one of November 2020 shows a row of structures.

In a cautious reaction to the report, India on Monday said it keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on the country's security, and takes necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said India has stepped up the construction of border infrastructure, including roads and bridges for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens.

"Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The report about China setting up a new village in Arunachal Pradesh comes amid a military standoff in eastern Ladakh for over eight months.

India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the face-off in eastern Ladakh, but no significant headway has been made so far.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday asked a petitioner, who raised the issue of clamping restrictions on over-the-top (OTT) platforms claiming that they show nudity and inappropriate scenes, to make a representation before the government.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was told by the counsel appearing in the court on the petitioner's behalf that the issue raised in the plea is whether OTT platforms can be allowed to publish or show contents that are not appropriate for viewers of all ages without any restrictions.

The counsel alleged that inappropriate scenes depicting nudity are being shown on OTT platforms.

"Go to the censor board," the bench told the petitioner.

"You want some directions on viewer control?" it asked the petitioner, adding, "You make a representation to the government."

The petitioner's counsel then sought permission to withdraw the plea with the liberty to approach the government with a representation on the issue.

The apex court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea with the liberty to make a representation to the government.

It said if such a representation is made, it should be decided in accordance with the relevant laws.

When the bench told the petitioner's counsel that the plea has raised questions on a movie, the lawyer said the issue is regarding nudity shown on OTT platforms.