NEW DELHI: The Arunachal Pradesh Government and the Indian Army are working in tandem to develop a strategically significant area near the Yangtse region.
This development is particularly noteworthy, considering its timing, coming shortly after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s ‘Shastra Puja’ ceremony with troops in Tawang. It underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its position in the region.
The focal point of this collaborative effort is the promotion of the legendary Chumi Gyatse, an area renowned for its 108 Holy Waterfalls that align with the LAC. In December of the previous year, China had expressed intentions to construct an observation post overlooking this very area, located a mere 250 meters from the Line of Actual Control. Previously, access to this location was restricted, even for the residents of Tawang.
The Yangzte plateau is around 15 km long and 10 km wide with heights ranging from 14000 to 17000 feet.
The plateau is critical to the defence of Tawang as it gives Indian Army advantage to dominate Chinese positions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and gives them headsup in case of a surprise PLA attack in the area to gain tactical advantage over Tawang town. But there is more to Tawang, which fell to PLA thanks to inept military and political leadership in the 1962 war.
The journey from Tawang town to Tsechu village near the LAC takes approximately four hours, and it has seen ongoing efforts to enhance road infrastructure, particularly since the stand-off with Chinese troops. Chumi Gyatse, as per Tibetan folklore, is home to a mesmerizing collection of 108 waterfalls, and the water in this region is regarded as sacred, believed to possess healing properties.
Each year, Buddhist pilgrims from Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states converge at Chumi Gyatse to offer their prayers and gather this revered holy water.
This collaborative initiative between the state government and the army signifies a significant stride in strengthening India’s presence and asserting its commitment to this vital region along the Line of Actual Control.
It is to be noted, that the PLA transgression in Yangtze plateau was an annual affair, since the PLA intruded into Somdorong Chu in 1986-87, as a part of Chinese plan to show that the territory is disputed.
