Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, May 22: Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Rigzin Spalbar today submitted memorandum to visiting Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and GOC-in-C of Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hoodi and highlighted the issues and demands of Leh district.
The demands highlighted by the CEC include raising of a Ladakhi Women Army/ Paramilitary Battalion, all weather road across Parang La, relaxation for transporters of Ladakh region in respect of the “Vintage of Vehicle, preferential treatment to Cooperative Marketing Societies in the award of contracts for supply of vegetables, fruits etc to the Army and preference for Ladakhi local labourers in the projects of Border Roads Organization in Ladakh.
He demanded construction of strategic multipurpose tunnel through Khardongla Pass, increase in the air tonnage provided to the civil administration by the Army and raising of more battalions of Ladakh Scouts.
Mr Spalbar hoped that the Ministry and Army Chief would understand the concerns and aspirations of the people and will further motivate exemplary Civil-Military relations in Ladakh. “We endeavour to be equal partners in the defence of our borders”, he added.
Justifying the demand for raising of a Ladakhi women army battalion, Mr Spalbar said, “there is severe unemployment among the educated women in the district and hardly any employment avenues available to them. Given the strategic importance of the area and the extreme climatic conditions, the Ladakhi women battalion could, beyond doubt, prove skilled mountain warriors and contribute immensely in guarding the volatile boarders”.
He also brought resentment among the border people against the Army to the notice of Defence Minister and said, “necessary directions are required to be issued to the Army to ease the movements of nomands along the border and restrictions on development works”.
“Along with the development of essential and strategic Infrastructure in this part of the country, it is also imperative that the socio-economic condition of the people also improve. The people of this region, especially those living along the border are the real vanguards at the front as such these marginal people are required to be given an opportunity to earn livelihood from the projects of BRO and improve their socio-economic condition”, the CEC urged the Minister.
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