Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the
soldiers, who lost their lives in the line of duty, at Tawang War Memorial in
Arunachal Pradesh and appreciated the soldiers for shouldering the
responsibility of guarding the borders on Tuesday.
Rajnath Singh, who arrived in Tezpur for a two-day
visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, spoke to media after attending the
wreath-laying ceremony.
“The tough situation in which you are shouldering the
responsibility of guarding the country’s borders – we can’t appreciate it
enough. I would like to tell you that the countrymen are proud of you. All of
you know the importance of your uniform,” the Defence Minister told the troops.
“You have kept the borders secure and that is why
India’s stature before the world is rising rapidly. All the developed countries
accept the reality that in the past 8-9 years, India’s stature has risen. I
would like to clearly say that under the leadership of PM Modi, if India’s
stature has risen, India has made economic developments, it indeed is important
but had you not kept the country’s border secure – this stature would not have
been possible” the Defence Minister added.
During the day, Rajnath Singh engaged with the
security personnel deployed in the strategically vital Tawang sector located in
Arunachal Pradesh.
He also performed Shashtra Puja at Tawang, held
special prayers and will be celebrating Vijayadashami with soldiers.
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is accompanying
the Defence Minister during his visit.
Earlier this year, the Union Minister visited the
Tawang sector to review security preparedness in the sector.
The Tawang sector has seen several instances of
transgressions from the Chinese PLA. In December last year, People’s Liberation
Army troops had transgressed the LAC in the Tawang Sector, the violation was
met by the Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off had led
to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.
Rajnath Singh had then informed Parliament that
Chinese forces had tried to “transgress” the Line of Actual Control and “unilaterally
change the status quo” in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector in Arunachal
Pradesh last week but the Indian troops prevented the bid, resulting in a “physical
scuffle leading to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”.
ANI
