China evacuates citizens from India, buildup witnessed in Uttarakhand
New Delhi, May 26: China has decided to evacuate from India its citizens, including students, tourists and businessmen, who are facing “difficulties” in the country and want to return in the wake of Covid-19. Meanwhile, Indian and the Chines armies are witnessing a buildup in Uttarakhand, reports said.
The Chinese embassy put out a notice on its website Monday, asking those keen to return home to book tickets in special flights.
The move comes in the wake of India becoming the 10th worst-hit country by the virus — nearly 1.40 lakh people in India have been affected. The coronavirus, which was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has spread to over 190 countries, infecting over 54 lakh people and claiming the lives of 3.4 lakh. India had evacuated around 700 Indians from Wuhan in February.
The notice by the Chinese embassy said the people opting to return home will have to accept all quarantine and epidemic prevention arrangements during the flight and after entering China.
The notice in Mandarin said people treated for coronavirus infection or having symptoms of the infection like fever and cough in the last 14 days should not board the special flights.
“Through the unified arrangement of the ministry of foreign affairs and relevant departments, the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in India will assist international students in India, tourists, temporary business visitors who have difficulties and are in urgent need to take a temporary flight back home to China,” according to the notice.
It suggested that people from some other countries may also be evacuated. The notice said the cost of flight ticket and quarantine in China will have to be borne by the evacuees. “If your body temperature exceeds 37.3 degrees (inclusive) before boarding or if you have suspected symptoms, you will be refused boarding by the airline,” the notice said.
Meanwhile, as field-level talks to lower tensions along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh remain inconclusive, the Indian Army has increased its presence in Uttarakhand following reports of a Chinese troop build-up in an area on their side of the LAC.
And in eastern Ladakh, which is part of the western sector, the Army has inducted additional troops and has enhanced round-the-clock surveillance of the LAC through UAVs.
Sources said that the Army has also increased its presence along the boundary with China in Uttarakhand — part of the middle sector — following reports that Chinese troops have been deployed in increased numbers in the Guldong sector.
The Chinese build-up, sources said, was reported to have taken place over the last few days, following which the Army reinforced a brigade located in the area with additional units.
“Deployment ahead of Harsil has been strengthened due to reports of Chinese beefing up their numbers in the opposite sector,” a senior officer said.
In eastern Ladakh, sources said, the Army has started inducting more crews to operate UAVs for enhanced surveillance of the area. Extensive physical patrolling of the area is very difficult since “the rough terrain takes too much time, too many troops,” sources said, but UAVs can provide regular updates on any Chinese movement along the LAC in Ladakh.
Fresh induction of troops, sources said, has taken place in Ladakh to strengthen Indian positions and create reserves. (with inputs from PTI, Indian Express)
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