September 17, 2026: The Save Taksing Save Arunachal Movement Committee (STSAMC) has strongly condemned Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik’s denial of reports of a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) incursion in Taksing circle of Upper Subansiri district, calling the statement “highly unfortunate, condemnable and unacceptable.”
The controversy has gained further attention after Arunachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak reportdly said the possibility of a Chinese incursion in the remote Taksing area could not be completely ruled out, citing the difficult terrain and extensive stretches of uninhabited land along the border.
According to media reports, Tagak made the remarks during a visit to Ziro in Lower Subansiri district, where he reviewed development concerns and interacted with residents and youth organisations.
Responding to reports of a possible Chinese incursion, Tagak said the remoteness of Taksing, challenging terrain and large stretches of what he described as “No Man’s Land” made continued vigilance essential. He did not confirm that an incursion had taken place, but said the possibility could not be dismissed outright.
Taksing, in Upper Subansiri district, is among the remote border settlements of Arunachal Pradesh located close to the Line of Actual Control with China.
The STSAMC, meanwhile, said the Governor’s denial contradicted what it claimed were reports from people and organisations that had physically visited the remote border areas.
READ: US Clears Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces 100% Tariff Risk
STSAMC convenor Paknga Bage said indigenous clans of Nah and Mra, along with the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS), had visited Taksing and submitted written reports to the Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Minister and the Governor regarding the alleged developments.
The committee further claimed that representatives of political parties, including the National People’s Party (NPP), Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), as well as local news channels, had visited several locations in the sector.
According to the STSAMC, these included Oying, Paniar, Morpan, Portang, Tinlingtang, CP-6, CP-5, Langju and Old Maja, where the groups allegedly observed signs of PLA incursions and construction activity.
Student organisations, including the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and Arunachal Tribal Students’ Union (ATSU), have also claimed an incursion following what they described as physical verification of the sector, the committee said.
Questioning the Raj Bhavan’s position, the STSAMC asked: “If the Governor still denies it, then is he trying to say that the entire civil society, political parties and media are lying?”
Bage said such statements could demoralise border villagers and security personnel deployed in the sensitive frontier region. He demanded the removal of Governor Parnaik, arguing that the state needed a Governor willing to defend Arunachal Pradesh’s territorial integrity.
“If the present governor cannot stand for truth and defend the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh, he has no moral right to continue,” Bage said.
The committee asserted, “Arunachal is not for sale. Arunachal will not bow to China.”
The allegations, however, have not been independently established by the information cited by the committee, while the Governor has denied reports of a PLA incursion. Tagak’s remarks also stopped short of confirming that an incursion had occurred.
The latest controversy comes amid longstanding concerns over the strategically sensitive India-China frontier in Arunachal Pradesh. Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and former Army Chief Gen (Retd) J J Singh and former Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma have also spoken publicly about India’s strategic borders and defence concerns.
In 2012, Singh had said that resolving the India-China boundary dispute would require a pragmatic approach involving “give and take”, suggesting that negotiations might have to move beyond rigid positions described as non-negotiable.
Ziro Tourism and Development
During his Ziro visit, Tagak also toured the Cosmos Flower Garden at Bulla village and praised local residents for preserving the seasonal blooms while developing the site as a tourism attraction.
He said the Arunachal Pradesh government could consider declaring the flower garden a state asset and added that he would raise issues concerning the promotion and support of community-led tourism initiatives through appropriate parliamentary forums.
The Cosmos Flower Garden has emerged as a seasonal attraction in the Ziro Valley, with large stretches of pink, magenta and white cosmos flowers drawing visitors. Locally known as “Samang Phool” or the “I Love You flower”, the blooms have become part of Ziro’s growing tourism appeal.
Tagak also visited the Ranii Flower Garden, managed by the Flower Plantation Society, Ziro, and commended its efforts to promote tourism and create economic opportunities through flower cultivation.
He stressed the need for improved infrastructure and connectivity, regular maintenance of tourist facilities, clean and hygienic surroundings and adequate law-and-order arrangements to support tourism in Lower Subansiri.
“Ziro has great potential in terms of tourism,” Tagak said, adding that stronger infrastructure and basic amenities would be necessary to sustain the valley’s tourism growth.
The MP also met members of the Apatani Youth Association and discussed ways to increase youth participation in development activities and local initiatives.
Tagak said a parliamentary constituency-level review meeting involving heads of government departments would be launched from Ziro. The meeting would examine the implementation of government schemes and other development-related issues.
He further said Ziro would have two Assembly seats following the next delimitation exercise. Any increase in representation, however, would depend on the delimitation process and applicable constitutional and legal provisions.
Tagak’s visit comes as Ziro and the wider Lower Subansiri region seek to strengthen tourism while addressing infrastructure and connectivity gaps.
The Ziro Valley is renowned for its Apatani cultural heritage, distinctive rice cultivation system and scenic landscape. Community-led initiatives such as flower gardens are increasingly being promoted as part of efforts to expand tourism and create additional local economic opportunities.
