Shillong: Describing the border area of two
neighbouring countries as peaceful, the Indo-Tibetan Border
Police Sunday said that there were no reports of any intrusion
along the Indo-China border.
"We have no report of any intrusion along the borders
(Indo-China). The borders are peaceful," Director General of
ITBP, R K Bhatia told reporters while responding to a query.
He, however, said that the border should be guarded with
"utmost vigil to ensure security".
Bhatia refused to comment on China`s claim over Arunachal
Pradesh, saying that "this issue involves so many agencies of
the Centre and the duty of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Force was just to assist the Army".
The force faces enormous hardships in guarding the high
altitude 3488-km long Indo-China border with an inhospitable
terrain, Bhatia said.
The jawans suffer due to difficulties in transportation
and lack of oxygen in some areas.
"The ITBP needs more force, as the jawans cannot stay in
the high altitude for more than two to three years due to
health deterioration. If we have more force, we can substitute
the jawans more frequently," Bhatia said.
"The Border Out Posts now have to cover long distances.
If more forces are sanctioned, the gap between the Border Out
Posts can be reduced to a great extent," he added.
PTI
