New Delhi: A Chinese statement described the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as “Pakistan's” on Tuesday. This led to belief that China is taking sides with Pakistan at the expense of India in the 67-year-old India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir.
Authorities in China's far-western Xinjiang region on Tuesday announced the closure of the strategically-significant Khunjerab Pass, which links Xinjiang and PoK, for the winter season.
This resulted in protest in the Assembly where a BJP member on Thursday made a strong plea that India should ask China to withdraw a latest map published by a Chinese news agency showing some parts of Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Pakistan.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, S S Ahluwalia said India has already protested over the agreement between China and Pakistan over Gilgit-Baltistan region. He said in the latest map, the Xinhua news agency has depicted parts of PoK as part of Pakistan and a portion of the Line of Control as the international border.
Noting that this was a "serious" matter, he said the central government should call the Chinese ambassador and ask him to withdraw the map. BJD member Tathagata Satpathy was heard remarking that the Chinese President only recently had 'dhokla' (a Gujarati dish) in Gujarat.
CPI(M) member Sreemathi Teacher expressed concern over the sterilisation deaths of 14 women in Chhattisgarh and said mere suspension of the concerned officers would not suffice and it should be treated as a criminal offence.
BJP member Jagdambika Pal sought the Centre's intervention to reopen closed sugar mills in different parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, and payment of last year's arrears worth Rs 8,500 crore to sugarcane growers.
Accusing sugar mill owners of flouting rules and not paying the sugarcane farmers their dues, he demanded stringent action against the owners including seizure of their stocks. Hema Malini (BJP) made a strong plea for giving adequate compensation to farmers in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh whose lands have been acquired for building the Gokul barrage, while her party colleague Kirit Solanki wanted provision of free LPG cylinders to schools for mid-day meals.
