A flood of media reports popped up on Monday claiming the Chinese military set up camps in Arunachal Pradesh. Later in the day, the Indian Army rebutted reports in a section of the media alleging encroachment by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and setting up camps in Arunachal Pradesh and termed them "incorrect and without basis".

"We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by the Chinese PLA and the setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis," the Indian Army said.

Local border community raises alarm over Chinese expansion

According to a report by the Indian Express, the Nah Welfare Society (NWS), a local community group from the Taksing circle in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district, has formally written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner regarding alleged Chinese military encroachment.

The organisation highlighted a massive escalation over the past decade and a half, calling the rapid pace of the Chinese military's operations in Taksing deeply alarming. They warned that local communities are actively losing their ancestral land "inch by inch" every day.

Arunachal Home Minister to set up investigative committee

The Arunachal Pradesh government has announced it will set up an investigative committee to look into allegations of Chinese military encroachment within the state's Upper Subansiri district. Speaking to The Indian Express, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung stated that the state government is currently awaiting an official report from district authorities before taking further action.

ALSO READ: India Fires Back At Pakistan-China Joint Statement On J&K, Trans-Water Cooperation, Says 'They Don't Share Border'

India-China border meeting held last month

Notably, India and China held the 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing last month. A Ministry of External Affairs release said later that the discussions were constructive and forward-looking. The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, which has enabled progress towards gradual normalisation of bilateral relations.

ALSO READ: 'Supporting Attempt To Protect Terror...': India Issues Sharp Statement To China Over Support To Pakistan During Op Sindoor

The two sides discussed issues pertaining to delimitation, border management, mechanism building and cross-border cooperation. Indian side stressed the early meeting of the next Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers. Outgoing Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the situation along the China border is stable even though it continues to be sensitive, requiring constant vigilance, and added that the two militaries hold over 1100 ground-level interactions annually to prevent misunderstandings and address routine border issues.

(With inputs from ANI)