'Lame Attempt to Obfuscate Truth': Cong Slams PMO Clarification on Ladakh Face-off

The Congress on Saturday accused the prime minister's office (PMO) of making a "lame attempt to obfuscate truth" and belittling the gravity of the situation along the LAC after it issued a clarification on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments that no one entered Indian territory.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala urged Modi to follow "Raj Dharma" and rise to protect India's national security and territorial integrity.

He said the PMO and the government need to clearly state their position, after the PMO called as "mischievous interpretation" the criticism of the prime minister's remarks at the all-party meeting that no one has entered Indian territory or captured any military post while referring to the Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh.

"Is Galwan Valley not part of Indian territory? Why is Government not coming forward and strongly rebutting the Chinese claim over Galwan Valley? If Chinese troops are present there, does it not amount to intrusion into and occupation of Indian territory? Also, why is the Government silent on intrusions in the Pangong Tso area," Surjewala asked in a statement.

He said the PMO's statement "belittles the gravity of the situation" along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

He said security experts and satellite imagery have confirmed not only one intrusion on June 15, but several intrusions into and occupation of Indian territory in the Ladakh area.

"We sincerely urge upon the Prime Minister to follow 'Raj Dharma' and rise to the challenge of protecting national security and territorial integrity," the Congress leader said.

In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) earlier said the focus of Modi's remarks at the meeting on Friday was the events of June 15 at Galwan that led to the loss of lives of 20 Indian military personnel.

"The prime minister's observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces," it said.

"The words of the prime minister 'those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil', succinctly summed up the ethos and the values of our armed forces," it said.