New Delhi, May 16
Differing perceptions of the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China has led to a whopping 505 transgressions by Chinese soldiers since January 2010.

Explaining ‘transgressions’, officials said India and China do not agree on the LAC, hence soldiers on either side patrol up to the point they perceive as the LAC. Soldiers on both sides show a banner asking the other party to withdraw when the LAC is crossed. Despite the underlying tension, the process of withdrawing by both sides keeps a lid on the situation along the tense frontier between the two edgy neighbours.

Today, the matter of transgressions was raised in the Rajya Sabha and the Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said, “There have been 228 reported cases of transgression in 2010, 213 in 2011 and 64 till April this year. It was clarified, “There has been no intrusion along the India-China border. However, there are cases of transgression (by People’s Liberation Army, PLA) due to different perception of the LAC.” The word ‘intrusion’ is the official nomenclature to indicate a breach of the sanctity of the border and is different from transgression on LAC, that too on sections which are disputed.

The LAC is 4,057-km-long and traverses areas of Himalayan states, principally in Eastern Ladakh (J&K), parts of Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Historically, there has never been a demarcated boundary. These are strategically vital portions which are contiguous with Tibet.

New Delhi takes up specific incidents of transgression with the Chinese side through established mechanisms such as hotlines, flag meetings, border personnel meetings and normal diplomatic channels.

The 15th round of Sino-Indian Special Representatives (SR)-level talks was held in New Delhi in January last. Sources said the two sides are at an advanced stage of taking a decision on a joint civil-military mechanism to maintain peace along the LAC.

Despite the transgressions, peace is maintained along the LAC following an agreement thrashed out in April 2005. India and China have worked out what is called a ‘banner drill’, which helps keep tension under check.

Whenever either side perceives that a transgression has been made across the LAC, soldiers show a 10-feet-wide banner with a slogan painted across to each other. The banner primarily cites the 2005 agreement and says there is a need to back off from the present positions of patrolling. 

about transgressions

* India and China do not agree on the LAC, hence soldiers on either side patrol up to the point they perceive as the LAC 

* Soldiers on both sides show a banner asking the other party to withdraw when the LAC is crossed (pic)

* The process of withdrawing by both sides keeps a lid on the situation along the tense frontier