Leh residents fear Chinese take over

The inaction of central government even after repeated incursions of Chinese troops into Leh has struck apprehensions in the hearts of local population. They feel that the government is sleeping and is quite weak,


Leh: The Union government's continued denial to the recent Chinese incursions on Indian territory has angered the locals, who have been unhappy over the passive response of the Centre.

As reports of Chinese incursion in Leh were confirmed, Headlines Today travelled to the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir to get an insight into the situation.

Leh additional deputy commissioner Tsering Morup was the first to confirm a recent incursion by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel. "Yes, there have been incursions," he told Headlines Today.

Inspector general of police (Kashmir) S.M. Sahai said: "If you look at the terrain in Leh and Ladakh, there are huge terrains which are unmanned. So definitely an incursion can take place there."

To get an exact impression of the situation on the ground, Headlines Today went further towards the Chinese border in Leh district.

Even as the state and the central establishment remains frozen in a state of denial about Chinese presence, Headlines Today found that the villagers were quite unhappy with the timidity of the government in tackling the brazen incident.

Leh resident Phunsuk Tonduk said, "The army and intelligence are sleeping. The Chinese are slowly inching towards Indian territory. One day they will take over Leh."

An angry local journalist went up to say: "The government is weak."

While a majority remain enraged, there were also a few who chose to remain indifferent. Some young boys said they "don't know... don't care".

Even the newspapers in the region have been flooded with reports of Chinese incursions over the last few months. Defence Minister A.K. Antony might choose to blame "perception" for the Chinese incursions, it seems that this dragon has already hacked into the Indian stable.

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