Chinese troops intrude into Ladakh, halt govt project-TNN, Jan 10, 2011

Chinese troops intrude into Ladakh, halt govt project

M Saleem Pandit, TNN, Jan 10, 2011, 02.37am IST


SRINAGAR: In a fresh report of incursion, Chinese troops apparently intruded into Indian territory along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Ladakh region in September-October 2010.

People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops had entered Ladakh in Pangong area and a Chinese helicopter was seen hovering over Chunur area along the LAC in September. According to reports, the incursion was discovered only when the Chinese troops threatened a Ladakh contractor and his team after asking them to halt work on a passenger shed. The contractor was working on a state government rural development department proposal to construct a passenger shed at Gombir and Demchok area in Leh.

The reports even said motorcycle-borne personnel of PLA were seen patrolling the area. Defence spokesman Lt Col J S Brar in Srinagar refused to comment. In Delhi, there was no response from the MEA either.

Significantly, 3 Infantry Division authorities told the civil administration to stop work and even instructed it not to undertake any construction along 50km of the LAC in the region. This would be the second instance of Indian groups having suspended development work in the area after allegedly being threatened by the Chinese.

The Chinese troops are in occupation of approximately 38,000 sq km of Aksai Chin area of Indian territory. They have also built a road, the Karakoram highway, on the Indian area ceded by Pakistan to China.

In January 2009, shepherds taking their cattle for grazing were threatened by Chinese troops. The Indian troops had thereafter gone for massive upgrade of infrastructure and military capabilities along the India-China border in Ladakh.

J&K minister for revenue, relief and rehabilitation Raman Bhalla has proposed to raise permanent structures in the area with junior revenue officers and chowkidars posted there round the year.

The minister says the government feels the need to post officials in the region permanently. This would be part of improving human intelligence from the desolate region.