Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high level meeting with Ladakh delegation, headed by MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal to discuss important issues and demands, including ongoing border situation at Line of Actual Control on eastern front of Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staffs and other Defence officers in presence of CEC, LAHDC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson and Executive Councilor for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Tashi Namgyal Takzee at South Block New Delhi.
In the meeting, important demands and issues concerned with national security and welfare of Ladakhi people were discussed and deliberated, which include establishment of a separate Command in Ladakh, extension of Battalion in Ladakh Scout Regiment and opening of Women Battalion in Ladakh Scout, opening of Sainik/Airforce/Military School in Leh Ladakh, functioning of Advance Landing Ground of Chushul, Mudh and Fukchey, construction of alternative Military Airport in Padum Zanskar and Wakha Thang, early completion of construction of Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road and also Wanla, Lingshed to Padum road to be made black topped at the earliest.
Ladakh delegation also stressed on early constriction of Chushul-Dungti-Demjok-Fukchey Road, construction of Multipurpose Tunnels at Khardongla, Changla, Namkila, Zingral-Tharuk and Photola in Ladakh, deployment of soldiers of the Ladakh Scout Regiment on Indo China Border, construction of Bunkar for Civilian living along border, permission/NOC from MoD for installation/operationalisation of Mobile Tower already sanctioned in border areas of Ladakh, formal permission/order for tourists visiting Siachen base, use of Mobile (BSNL) towers under Army authority by civilian living along border without any restriction/interruption.
The delegation also demanded release of land under Army occupation in Leh town and its periphery, especially village pasture land and State land meant for public purpose and assured Defense Minister that LAHDC, Leh will provide alternative land at suitable location for Army.
Release of three acres of land from Airforce control at Thoise Nubra to make UDAN scheme implementable, operationalisation of Thoise Airport under UDAN, easing out of restriction along border for native locals to take their livestock for grazing on traditional pasture land along border, increase in the tonnage volume on Army aircraft during winter month, relaxation and increase in vintage value of Truck, Buses and Taxis from current vintage restriction were also demanded.
Relaxation in guidelines for procurement of milk, vegetable and hay from local vendors of Ladakh, scaling up Operation Sadbhavna in Ladakh, better facilities to local labours at Siachen Glacier, preference by Army ordinance in Ladakh to locals while hiring manpower, extension of Northern Grid to Changthang region, sanction of USOF tower for Border villages, deployment of a separate battalion of SSB in Ladakh and other demands and issues were also raised during the meeting.
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