’Boulder message may be a veiled threat’

The government maintains that too much should not be read into the Chinese incursions

'Boulder message may be a veiled threat'

The government maintains that too much should not be read into the Chinese incursions

The mythical dragon has made its presence felt, again, and the writing on the wall is making security experts jittery.

Though the Indian government and the Army have refused to read too much into the script, the "Middle Yellow River" inscription on boulders on the Indian side at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China carries a subtle warning, feel security and defence experts.

"The second part of the inscription, Yellow River, is the second largest river of the country and is known as the Sorrow of China. What it could signify is a matter of interpretation," he said.u00a0

So has the government failed to read between the lines?

Intruding soldiers of the People's Liberation Army spray painted "Middle Yellow River" in Mandarin with red on boulders in Ladakh region on July 31, but the government has tried to play down the incident.

Larger game plan

Former Intelligence Bureau director Ajit Doval told MiD DAY that in view of the "complex and multi-dimensional" engagement with China, the incidents should be understood in a broader perspective.

"The implications may be more than the event per se. It is more important to know their intentions which can not be achieved in a day or two. We must start thinking at least five or ten years ahead to know what China is actually up to," Doval said.

He added that China could be trying to "build pressure" and the messages should be seen in the context of a larger gameplan.

Doval claimed New Delhi neglected similar "tell tale signs" before the 1962 war as well. "We risked a war by overlooking small incidents." However, the intelligence expert cautioned against panic, calling for a mature and alert response.

'It's routine'

Those who have seen the boulders and the messages, refused to read too much into the incident.

"I don't think there is hardly any significance attached to this message. The Chinese have always been doing something or the other to make their presence felt. Earlier, they used to leave cigarette packets and tin cases.

It was their way of letting us know they had been there. This 'graffiti' is not much different from that," said Lieutenant General (Retd) Mohinder Puri, under whose supervision the Indian Army fought the Kargil war.u00a0

But what makes the so-called "regular practice by China" so special this time?

"The Chinese have been intruding into our territory for a long time, but this time the frequency and reach have increased," said Puri.

He denied that the current activities could be a precursor to a 1962-like event when the Chinese Army captured a large part of the Indian territory.

Contentious issue

The Ministry of External Affairs has been maintaining that the issue should not be blown out of proportion, with the Minister in-charge SM Krishna categorically saying there is a proper mechanism in place to take care of such developments. Even the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Deepak Kapoor has reiterated there was nothing serious in the incursions.

"The MEA has called the reports baseless, but intelligence agencies and para-military forces deployed at the Indo-China border have pointed out that all is not well there. They fear everything is part of a larger conspiracy," said a senior Home Ministry official, wishing anonymity.

Keeping it alive

Even as the government is biding time to come up with a proper definition of the activities going on at the LAC, Beijing is in no mood to let the border issue die with India.

"These incidents are like pin pricks to test our tolerance as well as to keep the border issue alive. Chinese policy towards India reflects the fragmented politics in India, so the present issue should neither be ignored nor elicit a knee-jerk reaction," said former editor of Panchajanya Tarun Vijay, pursuing a fellowship from Sichuan University, China.

Tread Cautiously
The Centre has decided to drop action against two journalists of a national daily for filing a "wrong" report about Chinese firing at Indian border guards in Sikkim. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had sent a complaint to the Delhi police but top officials decided to "let it go", Home Ministry sources said. Earlier, officials had said that the police will register an FIR within a week against the scribes u2014 one based in Guwahati and the other in Kolkata.

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