J-K cops intrude 7 km into Sarchu

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 26

Despite repeated efforts of the government to settle the boundary issue with Jammu and Kashmir, the dispute arose again as the Jammu and Kashmir Police set up its seasonal police check-post in the Himachal territory at Sarchu.

It was stated that residents of Jammu and Kashmir, who run eatery shops and other business at Sarchu, were threatening residents of Lahaul-Spiti to move back to Lahaul.

After the opening of the Manali-Leh road, a large number of tourists have been visiting Leh and Lahaul residents have set up eatery shops and camping sites at Sarchu to earn their livelihood.

Sonam Dolma, gram panchayat pradhan, Dharcha in Lahaul Spiti, conveyed to the district administration that the Jammu and Kashmir Police had entered 7 km inside the Himachal territory.

She said the residents of Lahaul-Spiti were also forced to come back from Sarchu.

Ashwani Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul-Spiti, said on Saturday that a team of police personnel had been sent to the spot to analyse the situation.

The government had been also informed about it and the matter was pending with the Centre.

During the Congress regime in the state, a former Lahaul-Spiti MLA and vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also tried to find a permanent solution, but in vain.

On the directions of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, a Geological Survey of India team had also visited Sarchu for demarcation but the two states could not reach to any conclusion.

Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda, who represents the district, said, “I have raised the issue with the Centre twice and I hope the Centre will intervene to find a permanent solution soon.”

Matter pending with Centre 

• The dispute arises again as the J&K Police have set up its seasonal police check-post 7 km inside the Himachal territory at Sarchu 
• Residents of J&K, who run eatery shops and other business at Sarchu, are threatening residents of Lahaul-Spiti to move back to Lahaul
• The matter is pending with the Centre