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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid tribute to the soldiers' who lost their lives in the line of duty at Tawang War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh and appreciated the soldiers for shouldering the responsibility of guarding the borders.
Rajnath Singh who on Monday arrived in Tezpur for a two-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh spoke to media after attending the wreath-laying ceremony. "The tough situation in which you are shouldering the responsibility of guarding the country's borders - we can't appreciate it enough. I would like to tell you that the countrymen are proud of you. All of you know the importance of your uniform" the Defence Minister told the troops. "You have kept the borders secure and that is why India's stature before the world is rising rapidly. All the developed countries accept the reality that in the past 8-9 years, India's stature has risen. I would like to clearly say that under the leadership of PM Modi, if India's stature has risen, India has made economic developments, it indeed is important but had you not kept the country's border secure - this stature would not have been possible" the Defence Minister added. During the day, Rajnath Singh engaged with the security personnel deployed in the strategically vital Tawang sector located in Arunachal Pradesh. He also performed Shashtra Puja at Tawang, held special prayers and will be celebrating Vijayadashami with soldiers. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is accompanying the Defence Minister during his visit. Earlier this year, the Union Minister visited the Tawang sector to review security preparedness in the sector. The Tawang sector has seen several instances of transgressions from the Chinese PLA. In December last year, People's Liberation Army troops had transgressed the LAC in the Tawang Sector, the violation was met by the Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off had led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had then informed Parliament that Chinese forces had tried to "transgress" the Line of Actual Control and "unilaterally change the status quo" in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh last week but the Indian troops prevented the bid, resulting in a "physical scuffle leading to injuries to a few personnel on both sides". (ANI)
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