India concerned about Chinese intrusions into Himachal Pradesh

The government on Wednesday described as 'very serious' reports that a few Chinese troops had frequently intruded into Himachal Pradesh earlier this month.

The defence minister will brief Parliament about this military activity next week.

The matter was raised in Parliament by Professor V K Malhotra (BJP) during Zero Hour. He alleged that Chinese troops entered Indian territory six times between February 4 and 18.

The Indian troops, he said, did not take any action against the Chinese soldiers and instead showed them white flags so that they could return to Chinese territory.

Professor Malhotra wanted to know from the government why the Chinese troops were not attacked by the Indian troops. He also asked if India had lodged any protest with China in this regard.

Vishnukant Shastri (BJP) said this was not the first time that the Chinese had entered Indian teritory and had been allowed to return. Similar incidents had occurred last year, he said, but the government had not done anything in the matter.

External Affairs Minister inder Kumar Gujral said the matter was ''very serious'' and he would send the information provided by the members to Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. He said the government would make a statement on the issue next week.

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