Ladakhis take Chinese Head On

Ladakh is in the news for a different reason. This time the nomads in the Eastern Ladakh have set an example that must be emulated by all those in India who face the desperation and choice of extremes for survival. The brave nomads have taken the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China head on. Nomads were forced by the PLA to stop grazing the cattle in their grazing area at the village Kakjung near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Ladakh. This incident has taken place a few days back and now is being circulated in the social media and the mainstream media has also noticed it.  When the PLA stopped these nomads from grazing their cattle. They resorted to pelting stones on the PLA soldiers who were approaching towards them with three armoured vehicles. It has sent a different message and boosted the morale of the local people. This brave face but up by the nomads of Ladakh has forced the PLA to retreat and now they are grazing their cattle in their traditional area. This area is a sensitive one as it borders the Tibet region under the Chinese control. Nomads were intercepted at Patrolling Points 35.36 and 37 in the Kakjung village of Nyoma. Local leaders are also playing their role in standing by their people. This can be internalised from the sharing of the social media post of the Chushul Councillor, Konchok Stanzin by the Defence PRO. In which he has highlighted the bravery and nationalism of the Ladhakis. And in turn the councillor and local people have praised the Indian Army and put on record their support  in the hostile situations to safeguard the interests of the locals at all costs. This army –civilian relationship in the forward areas is really worth appreciation. We have seen constant intrusion of the PLA troops into the Indian Territory and creating the hostile situation. Over the years the common people have internalised the belligerence of the Chinese and their policy of provoking the Indian side into confrontation. This has to end. The civilians in Ladakh have shown the national will and this must send a firm message that the people of India are always ready to thwart any nefarious designs to violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. Ladakh sector is a strategic area that needs to be safeguarded against the machinations of the Chinese. The reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir after the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35 A in 2019 was a decisive step to safeguard the frontier areas and the creation of the union territory of Ladakh was integral to it. Now this has to be taken to the next level. The neglect and discrimination that was faced by Ladakh has to be replaced by infrastructural development and comprehensive security strategies that will infuse confidence and conviction among the highly nationalist Ladakhis who brave the hostile conditions to keep the Indian flag flying with unparalleled zeal that is worth appreciation. Ladakhis have been contributing towards the national security right from 1947 when partition imposed new challenges for the nation building. Under the leadership of the stalwarts like Kushak Bakula Ladakh has been sensitising the entire nation about the security challenges in the Himalayas. Entire nation must recognise their valour and join hands with them to defeat the Chinese nefarious designs in Ladakh.