Erase Chinese soldiers' memoirs with that of India: HYCPA

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 23: The Hindu Yuba-Chatra Parishad: Asom (HYCPA) has raised the demand for doing away with the Lekhapani, Tinsukia cemetery of Chinese soldiers killed in 1962 and removed it  with a war memorial of Indian soldiers killed in that war.

In a statement issued to the press today, HYCPA president Balen Baishya and general secretary Dipankar Gohain said: “The tombstones of Chinese soldiers are found at Lekhapani. The Chinese soldiers fought the Second World War for the British Army. Later in 1962, the Chinese soldiers invaded India and made an attempt to occupy Assam. In such a backdrop, we see no reason to keep memories of the Chinese soldiers alive in Assam. Rather, the need of keeping the memories of Indian soldiers, who gave their lives for the protection of Aruchal Pradesh from Chi, arises. Its enmity with India, making frequent claims over Aruchal Pradesh and its activity on Indian lands under Pakistan’s occupation have projected Chi as a hostile neighbour. In such a backdrop, the protection of memoirs of Chinese soldiers in Assam is unwarranted. We’re also opposing the reopening of Stillwell route. In his recent Assam visit, the Chinese Ambassador to India requested Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal to ensure the reopening of Stillwell Route. If the route is reopened, it will be tantamount to making the border fence porous for jackals.”