NEW DELHI, Dec 17:
Government is “closely watching” all activities of China and necessary measures have been initiated to protect the economic and security interests of the country, Defence Minister A K Antony said today.
“Government is closely watching all activities of China and is fully seized of security needs of the country. Necessary measures have been initiated to ensure national security and economic interests of the country,” Antony said in Lok Sabha in response to a query.
Responding to a query on China’s plan to establish an astronomical observatory in Aksai Chin area with help of Japan and South Korea, he said, “the observatory is apparently coming up at Shiquanhe which is located in the People’s Republic of China.”
In reply to a query on the US Government’s request for missions in the Northeast region to recover remains of US service personnel who died in World War-II, he said, “So far, three missions have been conducted.
“All future missions are envisaged to be conducted after due consultation with relevant agencies in Central Government and concerned State Governments.”
To a query on removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir, Antony said, “no decision has been taken so far to withdraw it from any area of the State.”
“The Group of Interlocutors in their report has suggested amendment of AFSPA as one of the measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, due to inclement weather, heavy snow accumulation, avalanches and landslides fencing along the Line of Control (LoC) gets damaged.
While Government is aware that terrorists attempt infiltration throughout the year including during the winter months when the fence is covered by snow or repair works are in progress, additional proactive measures in terms of surveillance and troop deployment are undertaken to foil infiltration attempts.
Repair works on damaged portions of the fence have already been completed. This information was given by Mr Antony in a written reply to Nripendra Nath Roy and Narahari Mahato in Lok Sabha today. (Agencies)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel