Dharamsala, January 11 – India has lost a “substantial” amount of its territory to China as the area along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China has “shrunk” over a period of two decades, the Times of India reported today citing an “official report”.
At a recent meeting held in Leh which was attended by officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government, Ministry of Home Affairs and Army, it was agreed that there was difference in the maps of various agencies and that there was lack of proper mapping of the area.
While the absence of proper map was agreed upon, the meeting all the same felt, “however, it is clear and be accepted that we are withdrawing from LAC and our area has shrunk over a period of time.”
The meeting also identified that “there is a lack of institutional memory in various agencies as well as clear policy on this issue which in long run has resulted in loss of territory by India in favour of China.”
The meeting was called to ensure proper protection to nomads who move with their cattle to Dokbug area of Nyoma sector during the winter months every year. In December 2008, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had damaged their tents and threatened them to vacate the land.
“They (Chinese) have threatened the nomadic people who had been using Dokbug area (in Ladakh sector) area for grazing since decades long, in a way to snatch our land in inches. A Chinese proverb is famous in the world – better do in inches than in yards,” a report filed by former Sub Divisional Magistrate (Nyoma) Tsering Norboo had said.
Norboo, who was deputed by the state government to probe complaints of incursion of the Chinese Army in Dokbug area, contended that it was another attempt by the Chinese to claim the territory as disputed in the same fashion as they had taken Nag Tsang area opposite to Phuktse airfield in 1984, Nakung in 1991 and Lungma-Serding in 1992.
Chinese troops had entered nearly 1.5 km into the Indian territory on July 31 last year near Mount Gya, recognised as International border by India and China, and painted boulders and rocks with “China” in red spray paint. Chinese helicopters had violated Indian air space a month earlier and airdropped expired tinned food with Chinese trademarks reportedly to claim the area along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region as dwelled by Chinese nomads.
