The Centre has cleared a proposal to raise new youth battalions in Arunachal Pradesh (AP) and Sikkim, along the lines of the Ladakh Scouts, in the months ahead. The proposal was aired at the recent conference of Army Commanders. Locals, with their extensive knowledge of the terrain, culture and language would naturally be recruited for training in arms. The objective would be to put up one more line of resistance in case of a possible military attack in the northeast sector, in addition to the army and paramilitary forces. The numbers are yet to be decided.

It is something of an advantage that 60 per cent of Sikkim's population of 5.5 lakhs is under 24 years of age and a similar percentage prevails in Arunachal Pradesh as well, with a population double that of Sikkim.

China in recent times has claimed a part of Sikkim and the entire 90,000 square kilometre area of Arunachal, as having been part of its territory. The length of AP's border with China is 222 kilometres and for Sikkim, 154 kms.

The Ladakh Scout battalions were raised in 1963, just after the disastrous 1962 Indo-China war. Five existing regiments now provide valuable service to the nation, apart from giving significant assistance to units actively engaged in the battle for Kargil against Pakistan recently.

However, security analysts are deeply concerned about the overwhelming mismatch between India's present military capacities vis-a-vis that of the Chinese in the region as a whole.

In recent years, as China has undertaken a systematic, well planned and massive upgradation of its rail and road infrastructure in Tibet and border regions, its striking capability has increased by leaps. It would now take only two/three weeks for China to move an entire mountain division of 10,000 soldiers and equipment to India's borders , as against 5 to 6 months, only a couple of years ago.

China can now carry out well planned low intensity attacks involving battalion strength forces at seven days” notice and a Brigade level thrust, in 15 days. Ordinary luxury cars now come up close to the international border on China's side. The number of Chinese troops positioned along the Tawang area is estimated at 10,000.

Their obvious superiority in numbers and level of preparedness, may be linked with the increasing number of incursions into Indian territory by the Peoples” Liberation army units in recent years. India has been protesting regularly to the Chinese authorities who reply in reassuring words, but the incursions continue. Worse, they take place in fresh areas.

In contrast, only 3 outposts in Arunachal Pradesh are accessible by road and the rest by foot only.

China Study Group, which reports to the Prime Minister, has helped work out of a massive Rs 9,092 crore roads and highway development plan for the NE region. Among major projects are the double lane highway from Nechipu to Hoj in AP (311 kilometres) and again from Potion to Pangin (407 kms), at a cost of Rs 1172 and Rs 1566 crore respectively. These constructions would be built both on the PPP and the BOT basis. Also proposed is the upgrading of the Stilwell Road running through AP (33 kms), costing Rs 91.25 crore. In addition, the airstrip at Chushul in Ladakh is being upgraded and several new airstrips would be laid in Arunachal.

Kolkata-based security analysts feel that once these measures are completed, India would be in position to provide stiff resistance unlike 1962, to possible Chinese military offensives in future. (IPA)