CM Pema Khandu holds Arunachal Pradesh cabinet meet at Kibithoo, India’s first village that faces China

GUWAHATI: Leveraging India's recent military achievements and asserting sovereignty along the LAC in India's eastern sector, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, held a cabinet meeting at Kibithoo, India's first village that faces China on Tuesday.Earlier, Army personnel and locals, led a ‘Tiranga Yatra' at nearby Walong, commemorating the triumph of the Indian armed forces in Operation Sindoor.China also claims Walong as part of its "southern Tibet" or Zangnan, as Beijing refers to it.The yatra and the cabinet meeting were direct responses to such claims, asserting India's sovereignty, officials said."The patriotic fervour at this easternmost frontier rekindled our love for the nation and strengthened our collective resolve to stand in unwavering support of our brave defence forces," Khandu wrote on X.These events, held in strategically significant locations in Anjaw district, underscore the historical, military, and symbolic importance of Walong and Kibithoo, home to the Mishimi and Meyor tribes, while boosting national pride.Walong holds historical significance as the site where Indian forces mounted their only counter-offensive against advancing PLA troops during the Indo-China war, precisely 63 years ago.The Battle of Walong is a shining example of unparalleled bravery, guts and sacrifice by Indian soldiers who held back the Chinese troops for 27 days, which forced the Chinese to deploy its reserve division from Tawang to Walong.The Yatra culminated at the Walong War Memorial, where Khandu and others paid homage to the valiant jawans who made the supreme sacrifice while defending India during the 1962 war.Khandu said the "historic sitting of cabinet aapke dwar at Kibithoo, India's first village in Anjaw district", made some key decisions aimed at the welfare of our people, strengthening govt departments for efficient service delivery, boosting revenue generation, and advancing the mission to make Arunachal ‘atmanirbhar.'