Failure to locate crash site raises security questions

The failure of Sukhoi-30, India’s multi-role military fighter aircraft for all weather and ISRO (India Space Research Organisation) in exact mapping of the crash site of Arunachal chief minister Dorjee Khandu’s helicopter in western Arunachal Pradesh raises security concerns about the state that shar es border with China.

“If tomorrow the Chinese forces enter Arunachal Pradesh, how will our most potent aircraft hit the enemy positions correctly?” asked Bamang Tago, a state based RTI activist.

China has often claimed Arunachal Pradesh as its southern Tibet region.

Sukhoi-30 and ISRO’s mapping provided seven probable sites of the crash of the ill-fated helicopter. Two such sites were inside the territory of Bhutan. Naga GG in West Kameng district was identified as the most probable site.

But the wreckage of the helicopter carrying Khandu and four others, which went missing on Saturday, was found in Luguthang area in Tawang district on Wednesday. The place was not on the list of the probable sites.

A foot patrol party comprising village men finally located the wreckage of the helicopter and the bodies. Though the army and the Indo Tibetan Border Police Force are trained to move in mountainous terrain, both failed in covering the Luguthang area.

Gumjum Haider, secretary general of North East Students Organisation (NESO), said the failure of the IAF’s most advanced fighter aircraft Sukhoi, Army, ITBP and IRSO’s satellite services had exposed the true state of Indian security agencies.
“With such incapable forces, we are not safe. If tomorrow China attacks Arunchal Pradesh then we will be overrun by the Chinese army. The government of India will not do anything for the people here,” said Haider.

Last rites on May 10

Itanagar: The last rites of former CM Dorjee Khandu will be performed on May 10 instead of May 11, in accordance with the Monpa tradition of Buddhism in his native village at Gyangkhar near Tawang.

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