Standoff in Ladakh between Indo-China troops
NEW DELHI: Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a stand-off at Demchok sector in the treacherous heights of Ladakh division from Wednesday morning after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel entered an area to stop an irrigation canal construction.
The Chinese troops numbering over 50 have stopped the work for construction of the canal under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for irrigation purpose. Soon after the Chinese troops aggressively stopped the construction work, a team of 60 to 70 Army and Indo-Tibetan Border police personnel reached the spot to counter the Chinese aggression, sources said.
The sources said a flag meeting is likely in the next few days to resolve the standoff. However, a date has not been finalised yet.
Soon after arrival at the canal construction site, the Chinese troops took positions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and demanded that the work be stopped immediately. The Chinese troops claimed that either side needs to take permission from the other before undertaking any construction work in the areas along the LAC. The Indian side, however, disputed the claim saying information about construction work was required only if that was related to defence purposes.
Both sides were engaged in banner drill and holding their positions on the ground.
A similar incident had occurred in 2014 after Indian agencies decided to construct a small irrigation canal at Nilung Nalla under the MNREGA scheme and the Chinese troops had opposed the move then.
The PLA had then mobilised even villagers from its side to pitch tents at Charding-Ninglung Nallah junction to station themselves and protest Indian action.
In the present standoff, the Indian contingent of the troops has fortified the area to prevent the Chinese troops’ march deeper into the Indian territory, the sources added.