New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi here on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi lacks courage to even take the name of China after document of Chinese transgression was put down from the Defence Ministry website.
"Forget standing up to China, India’s PM lacks the courage even to name them. Denying China is in our territory and removing documents from websites won’t change the facts,' Mr Gandhi wrote on his twitter handle.
The criticism from the Congress comes against the backdrop of a new Defence Ministry document on Chinese transgression in the areas of Kugrang Nala and North Bank of Pangong Tso in May 17-18, which went missing from the Defence ministry website.
As per reports, the document admitted that China intruded into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh in early May.
The document said Chinese aggression has been increasing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and “more particularly” in the Galwan valley since May 5.
The Chinese side transgressed in the areas of Kugrang Nala and Gogra in the Hot Spring area and the northern bank of Pangong Tso on May 17-18, it added.
The document also mentioned that a violent face-off took place in Galwan Valley between two sides on June 15, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The Defence Ministry said that the situation in eastern Ladakh arising from “unilateral” aggression by China continues to be “sensitive”, and requiring close monitoring and prompt action based on evolving situation.
The Ministry also said that the situation is likely to be prolonged.
However, two days after it was put up on the Ministry of Defence website, the page went missing on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Mr Gandhi pointing to the report on the document asked why Mr Modi was lying on the matter.
Mr Gandhi and the Congress party have been continuously attacking Mr Modi and the NDA government on the Indo-China border standoff and have accused the government of failing to check the Chinese incursions on the Indian territory.
UNI AR PS 1804