Bharat Rakshak

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/indi ... 220908.htm
India, China begin disengagement in Gogra-Hotsprings PP-15 in Ladakh
Hemant Waje, September 08, 2022
Marking a significant forward movement, the Indian and Chinese armies on Thursday announced that they have begun to disengage from the Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area of eastern Ladakh where the two sides have been locked in a standoff for over two years.
The announcement came around a week ahead of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Uzbekistan which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping among other leaders of the grouping.
There is speculation about a possible meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the summit though there is no official word on it from either side.
The beginning of the disengagement process in the Gogra-Hotsprings area is an outcome of the 16th round of high-level military talks in July, the two armies said in a statement.
"On September 8, 2022, according to the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps Commander level meeting, the Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hotsprings (PP-15) have begun to disengage in a coordinated and planned way, which is conducive to the peace and tranquility in the border areas," the brief statement said.
Official sources told PTI that the withdrawal of troops from Patrolling Point 15 (PP-15) began this morning and the local commanders from both sides are working out the modalities for the subsequent measures.
There is a possibility of both sides creating a "buffer zone" or "no-patrolling" area, a mechanism that was created following disengagement in other friction points.
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Gautam

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... order-area
Indian and Chinese troops pull back from disputed Himalayan border area
Forces disengaging in Gogra-Hot Springs area as peace talks that began after 2020 clashes carry on
Helen Davidson in Taipei and agencies, Fri 9 Sep 2022
Indian and Chinese troops have begun to pull back from another disputed Himalayan border area, as peace talks between senior military officials after deadly clashes in 2020 continue.
The two defence ministries confirmed troops were disengaging from respective sides in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs, in a move “conducive to the peace and tranquillity in the border areas”.
The withdrawal was according to a consensus reached in July during the 16th and most recent round of bilateral talks between top commanders, both ministries said.
It marks the second major act of disengagement since August 2021, when troops “ceased forward deployments” and dismantled infrastructure in another area also near Gogra. The act was described at the time by India’s ministry as restoring the area on both sides to the “pre-standoff period”.
The dispute centres along the line of actual control (LAC), which divides areas of physical control, rather than territorial claims, and separates Chinese-held and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India’s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. It is broken into parts where Nepal and Bhutan border China.
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Gautam

Tunnels across major passes in Ladakh in offing; to cost Rs 5,000cr.

The Ladakh administration is planning to build tunnels at cost of Rs 5,000 crores across major passes in the union territory to improve internal
connectivity, and has hired consultants for the mega task, a senior official said on Thursday.

Situated at an average altitude of over 11,000 feet, Ladakh, which literally means 'land of high passes' is a place like no other. The passes offer
breath-taking views and gateway to beautiful valleys nestled in the Himalayas.

The Ladakh's famous Khardung-La pass is also known as the highest motorable road in the world, and the tourists need to cross it while going
to Nubra Valley.

"The government of Ladakh is contemplating to build tunnels across major passes to improve internal connectivity in the union territory," commissioner-secretary, Ladakh Public Works Department (PWD) Ajeet Kumar Sahu told PTI.

He said that the consultants have been hired to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) of tunnels across Khardung La, Fotu La, Namika La, and Key-La passes.

An all-weather tunnel enhances connectivity between valleys for facilitating the movement of the military, civilians, and tourists in the region, he said.

The tunnel on Key-La pass will be alternative path to dangerous Changla pass, which will make travel to world famous Pangong

The survey and feasibility study is being conducted by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), which has been assigned to prepare DPRs of the tunnels, he said.

"The construction of these tunnels will lead to faster, safer, and smoother movement of internal traffic resulting in the all-around economic development of Ladakh", Sahu said.

The proposed 5.5 kilometre long Khardung-La tunnel, will also help increase the safety of travellers due to bypassing of areas prone to landslide and avalanche, Sahu said.

Besides, it would also protect the Khardung glacier, which is a major source of water for Leh town, from receding due to the increase in heat emitted by automotive vehicular movement, the official said.

The consultant agency for the project shared that the proposed bypass tunnels at the Fotu La and Namika La passes will reduce the travel distance from Kargil to Leh by around an hour besides providing safety in traffic movement due to the accumulation of snow and icing on road during winters, he said.

"The expected increase of traffic in winter after the opening of the Zojila tunnel also necessitates the construction of these tunnels as it serves as a strategic route for logistic supply to Ladakh. These tunnels are expected to boost local business activities, employment opportunities, and tourism in the region", Sahu said.

As per the RITES, preliminary survey and testing on all locations have been done and certain options have been worked out on the tunnel alignments, he said.

"Those are being examined technically as well as through a cost-benefit analysis. Some pending testing would be done in the next working season to clearly assess the geological formation of these passes,"the Commissioner said.

Sahu has asked the RITES to send the initial report before December 31 so that required approvals are obtained in advance.

Union Cabinet approves construction of all-weather tunnel to Ladakh.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for the construction of the 4.1-km Shinkun La tunnel on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road link to provide all-weather connectivity to the border areas of Ladakh.

Providing details of the cabinet decision, Union minister Anurag Thakur said the tunnel will be completed by December 2025 at a cost of Rs 1,681 crore. The length of the tunnel will be 4.1 km. An approach will also be built by December 2025, he said.

The Shinkun La tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity to Ladakh and this will be the shortest route to the border areas of the Union territory from other parts of the country, the minister said.

"The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today approved the Shinku La tunnel for Ladakh area which will provide all-weather connectivity to the Ladakh region with the entire country," the minister said.

"This (project) is also very important as far as the security and safety of the country is concerned.... It will also help in the movement of our security forces in that region," Thakur said.

Before this, the minister said, the Atal tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi linking Manali to Leh and it provides all-weather connectivity throughout the year. Another tunnel which is under construction is the Zojila tunnel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh national highway. It will be inaugurated soon.

Thakur said after the Shinkun La tunnel is made on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha marg, it will help connect the Ladakh area, especially Zanskar Valley, with the entire country.

Sources said this is a significant step in terms of security perspective as Nimu in Ladakh is close to Kargil as well as Leh and the armed forces can do faster deployment of forces and equipment in the area, if required in a tense situation in the eastern Ladakh sector with China.

Ladakh people demanding statehood and taking out rallies in Delhi. What's the pressing need ?

There are articles popping up on the web stating that the idea of splitting J&K and forming a UT for Ladakh has failed to live up to the aspirations of people. These were written by journalists based in Kashmir.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/ma ... r-BB1hIJqh

Men, women and children braving -13 degrees Celsius participated in ‘Leh Chalo’ protest march in Kargil and Leh districts that observed a complete shutdown. Transport services mostly remained off the road.

Protestors raised slogans in support of their 4-point charter of demands, statehood for the UT, Constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, guarantees for job reservation for locals and separate Lok Sabha seats for the two districts.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ladakh- ... ld-4988572

Ladakh Shuts Down As Thousands March For Statehood In Freezing Cold
Thousands walked in Ladakh in biting cold and sloganeered demanding statehood


Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed across Ladakh as thousands marched demanding statehood and constitutional protections under the sixth schedule for the Union Territory.
Protests were jointly organised by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Thousands of men and women marched across the main city of Leh in freezing temperatures, shouting slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh, the implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution, and also separate parliament seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

The shutdown was observed despite the Centre's announcement to hold a second round of talks with representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

The Centre has already constituted a high-powered committee headed by Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai to address the demands of the people of Ladakh.

The people of Ladakh said they couldn't live under an unending bureaucratic rule in the Union Territory and only a full statehood - where they elect their representatives to govern the region - could fulfil their demand.

In December, the Center held its first meeting in Ladakh and asked both the bodies from Leh and Kargil to submit their demands.

Over the last two years, they have held multiple protests demanding statehood and constitutional guarantees to protect their land, jobs, and distinct identity, something they used to enjoy under Article 370.

Cyrano wrote: ↑16 Feb 2023 16:47 Ladakh people demanding statehood and taking out rallies in Delhi. What's the pressing need ?

It may be good to know from which part of Ladakh UT the protestors came from. For example; Kargil which is in Ladakh UT is a peacefool den. There could be similar pockets else where as well.

Further if you are from I.N.D.I alliance and want to win polls this would be the time to organise a protest with wire type media to magnify 100nos as 1 lakh.