Kibithu

{{Infobox settlement | name = Kibithu | native_name_lang = | other_name = Kibithoo | nickname = | settlement_type = Village  | image_alt = | image_caption = Arunachal Pradesh, India | pushpin_map = India Arunachal Pradesh#India | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Arunachal Pradesh, India | coordinates = {{coord|28|16|49|N|97|01|04|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flagu|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Arunachal Pradesh | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Anjaw district | established_title =  | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 1240 | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = English | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +05:30 | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | registration_plate = AR | website = | iso_code = IN-AR | footnotes = }} {{OSM Location map | coord = {{coord|28|16|49|N|97|01|04|E}}  | float = right  | zoom = 10 | width = 275 | height = 275 | caption = {{center|Kibithu near the LAC}}  | label = Kibithu | mark-title = Kibithu | mark-description = vlliage and Indian border force camp with helipad | mark-coord = {{coord|28|16|49|N|97|01|04|E}} | mark = Green pog.svg  | mark-size = 10 | mark-image = | label-size = 10 | label-color = dark grey | label-pos = right | shape = | shape-color = | shape-outline = }}

'''Kibithu''', also spelled '''Kibithoo''', is a village in Arunachal Pradesh in Anjaw district, India. It is one of the easternmost permanently populated towns of India, located on the LAC (line of actual control) at {{coord|28|16|49|N|97|01|04|E}}. It is nearly 70 km north of district headquarter at Hawai, nearly 15 km south of India-China LAC (Kaho), and 40 km west of Diphu Pass near India-China-Myanmar tri-junction. The Lohit River enters India north of Kibithu at Kaho. Nearest air connectivity is 20 km in the south at Walong airstrip in Walong. It is considered India's first village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/toi-original/why-amit-shah-urges-people-to-visit-kibithoo-indias-first-village-labelled-by-pm-narendra-modi/videoshow/99500355.cms/|title = amit shah urge people to visit india's first village kibithoo.|website=The Times of India|access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref>

==History== {{more citations needed|section|date=December 2018}} {{POV section|date=April 2024}} Many Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives there before slaying approximately 4000 Chinese troops at Namti in the Battle of Walong. The Chinese army still has a sizable deployment of troops opposite Kibithu Tatu, Tithang and at Rongto Chu valley west of Tithang (Rima). The entire Chinese deployment opposite Kibithu is maintained via the Rau transit point. Prior to 1962 Indians were supplying rice and other rations from Kibithu to Rima cooperative for Tibetan villagers. These rations were ultimately consumed by Chinese People's Liberation Army troops during their deployment before 1962 war.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/arunachal-news/indian-and-chinese-armies-celebrate-independence-day-at-kibithu/|title=Indian and Chinese armies celebrate independence day at Kibithu|website=sentinelassam.com|date=18 August 2019 |access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref>

==Transport== The {{convert|2000|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} proposed Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway along the McMahon Line,<ref name=BR1>{{cite news|title=Top officials to meet to expedite road building along China border|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Top-officials-to-meet-to-expedite-road-building-along-China-border/articleshow/44831871.cms|author=Dipak Kumar Dash|newspaper=The Times of India|date=16 October 2014 |accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=BR2>{{cite web|title=Narendra Modi government to provide funds for restoration of damaged highways |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narendra-modi-government-to-provide-funds-for-restoration-of-damaged-highways-2020106|website=Daily News and Analysis|accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=BR3>{{cite web|title=Indian Government Plans Highway Along Disputed China Border|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/indian-government-plans-highway-along-disputed-china-border/|author=Ankit Panda|work=The Diplomat|accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=BR4>{{cite web |url= http://www.livemint.com/Politics/nqEwdXxkIgrSHPpTSzsFRN/Govt-planning-road-along-McMohan-line-in-Arunachal-Pradesh.html |title= Govt planning road along McMohan line in Arunachal Pradesh: Kiren Rijiju |date= 14 October 2014 |newspaper= Mint |accessdate= 2014-10-26}}</ref> (will intersect with the proposed East-West Industrial Corridor Highway) and will pass through this district, alignment map of which can be seen [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141016/nat7.jpg here] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306112247/http://arunachalpradesh.nic.in/images/state_map.jpg here].<ref name=BR5>{{cite web |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141016/nation.htm|title=China warns India against paving road in Arunachal|author=Ajay Banerjee|work=The Tribune|location=India|accessdate= 2014-10-26}}</ref>

==Tourism==

Kiithu is part of the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the Longewala War Memorial, Sadhewala War Memorial,<ref name=bdp2>[https://www.indiatimes.com/news/here-is-the-story-of-tanot-mata-the-diety-who-protected-indian-soldiers-from-pakistani-bombs-at-longewala-in-1971-war-259867.html The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War], India Times, 16 Dec 2020.</ref> Siachen base camp, Kargil, Galwan, Pangong Tso, Rezang La, Doklam, Bum La, Cho La, etc.<ref name=bdp1>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battleground-tourism-india-indian-army-ministry-of-tourism-galwan-siachel-kargil-longewala-battle-2665110-2025-01-15. Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker], India Today, 15 Jan 2025.</ref>

==India-China Border Personnel Meeting point== It is also one of the five officially agreed Border Personnel Meeting points between the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army of China for regular consultations and interactions between the two armies, which helps in defusing stand-offs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-soldiers-prevent-Chinese-troops-from-constructing-road-in-Arunachal/articleshow/44953671.cms/ |title=Indian soldiers prevent Chinese troops from constructing road in Arunacha|work=The Times of India|date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030232500/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-soldiers-prevent-Chinese-troops-from-constructing-road-in-Arunachal/articleshow/44953671.cms|archive-date=2014-10-30}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Geographic location|Centre = Arunachal Pradesh |North = {{flagicon|PRC}} Tibet Autonomous Region, China |Northeast = |East = {{flagicon|Burma}} Kachin State, Burma |Southeast = {{flagicon|Burma}} Sagaing Region, Burma |South = Nagaland |Southwest = Assam |West = {{flagicon|Bhutan}} Eastern Zone, Bhutan |Northwest = }}

Category:Anjaw district Category:Villages in Anjaw district Category:Borders of Arunachal Pradesh