Dehradun : While incursions by Chinese troops into the Ladakh and Arunachal areas of India have caused concern, their movement in Indian territory in the Uttarakhand region has by and large gone unnoticed, primarily because of the fact that the region is sparsely populated.
Had it not been for Tarun Vijay, BJP MP from Uttarakhand, who raised the matter during zero hour in Parliament, perhaps many in this small mountain state would also have not known about the incursions by the Chinese troops.
Infact, Vijay brought it to the notice of the House that while no employment opportunities, declining agriculture and horticulture production due to various reasons in the villages in the higher reaches, and general lack of infrastructure and other facilities are normally cited as the reason for migration to the plains, another fact is fear of the incursions by the Chinese troops.
He said that in the Hoti region of Uttarakhand, which shares a 350 kms border with China, troops from the country cross over with ease into this small mountain state. In the past few days, as many as 21 of them reportedly crossed into India and wrote Wu Je at various places. Incidentally, this is what they call the region in their parlance.
The MP claimed that many residents of the sparsely populated area, fearing violence or harassment by the Chinese troops have either left the region or are planning to do so and moving to safer areas lower down so that they can lead peaceful lives.
He said that this was all the more region that the central government should think seriously in terms of setting up a development commission for the region, which can plan all round development to restore the confidence of the people living in the region and also to stop the incursions by the Chinese troops.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
It is very important that all the himalayan states be developed as they are having international borders. Road and rail connectivity must be developed at these areas. Migration should be checked as to save the culture language of this region.