Border dispute a cause for concern

Dipender Manta

The dispute between Himachal and J&K on the Manali-Leh Highway near Sarchu  is a cause for concern for the residents of tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti. 

Last year, the residents of Leh and Kargil had entered into a scuffle and pelted stones  over the right to use the land in Sarchu, which otherwise is claimed by Himachal Pradesh.

For  Himachal, Sarchu is a part of Lahaul-Spiti district. Residents of the  district said  the people of Ladakh, including the J&K police, had  intruded 17 km into Himachal’s territory by setting up a police post at  Sarchu last year, which worried them. Sarchu is around 222 km away from  Manali.

Lahaul-Spiti  residents provide tents and run eateries and other businesses at Sarchu  every year during the summer season, when the Manali-Leh highway is  opened for vehicular activity in May or June. The area receives heavy  rush of tourists during the summer season, when a majority of tourists  visit Leh-Ladakh.

Residents  fear that they will lose their livelihood during the summer season at  Sarchu.   J&K residents, who run eateries and other business at  Sarchu, had reportedly threatened the residents of Lahaul-Spiti and  asked them to go back to Lahaul last year.

They fear that the same situation may arise this year after the Manali-Leh highway opens  because the state government had failed to solve the issue. 

Ramesh  Kumar Rulba, chairperson of Zila Parishad Lahaul-Spiti, said: “The  residents are concerned about the border dispute with the  neighbouring state of J&K, as people have intruded 17 km  into Himachal’s boundary at Sarchu. It is a growing threat for  those who want to continue  with their business on their own land. We had submitted a memorandum to  the government several times, but in vain.”

Former  Lahaul-Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur said: “The  Surveyor General of India had visited the spot for demarcation, where  DC Lahaul,  DC Ladakh and DC Kargil were also present. The Geological Survey of  India had asked both governments to deposit some nominal amount to  conduct the final demarcation of land, but it failed to do so. Due to  that, the matter is still hanging fire,” he said, adding: “The demarcation of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is final, which  cannot be challenged  even in the Supreme Court. The government should deposit the  money to the GSI for the  demarcation of the boundary at Sarchu and Shinkula pass with the J&K  state. The J&K authorities intruded into 35 km at Shinkula  pass, inside Himachal territory, which is a matter of concern.” Sarchu  is a mid-point between Manali and Leh at 14,000 feet above sea level. The plateau is a popular camping site for thousands of tourists travelling between  Manali and Ladakh. Various dhabas and shops come up here during the  summer season.