Lahaul wants boundary row with Ladakh settled

Box: Sarchu, Shinkula conflicting points

Youth from HP and Ladakh have camping sites at Sarchu and Shinkula

They often clash with each other over boundary issue

Himachal has given its nod for demarcation of boundary

Response from Ladakh administration is awaited

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 5

Residents of the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti want boundary issue with Ladakh at Sarchu and Shinkula pass to be resolved at the earliest.

The conflict has been going on for long, with Lahaul residents alleging encroachment on Himachal Pradesh land by people in Ladakh. They allege there has been no effort on the part of the state government to resolve the dispute.

Ramesh Kumar Rulba, Chairperson, Zila Parishad Lahaul-Spiti, said, “The residents are apprehensive that with the resumption of tourism at Sarchu and Shinkula pass, the conflict may get worse as youth from both sides are involved in business activities in the area.”

He said the parishad had written to the state government over this issue, but the matter was pending with the Centre.

Rigzin Samphel Heyreppa, chairperson, Lahaul-Spiti Eco Tourism Society, said, “Youth from Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have set up camping sites at Sarchu and Shinkula for tourists. They often clash with each other over boundary issue. It is a serious matter and should be resolved soon.”

Ravi Thakur, former Lahaul-Spiti MLA, claimed, “While the residents of Leh have set up camps up to 14 km into the Himachal territory at Sarchu, Kargil residents carry out commercial activities till 35 km inside our territory at Shinkula.”

He said there was an urgent need to resolve this issue to avoid any untoward incident.

Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said the state had taken up matter with the Centre and gave its nod for demarcation of the boundary. “The response from the Ladakh administration is awaited. We hope after Ladakh gives its nod for demarcation, the matter will be resolved amicably.”