Local residents trekking to Indian Army tents supplying essential items

For more than a week now, scores of locals and volunteers have been trekking to the Indian Army tents in forward locations of Chushul in Ladakh with the supply of essential items and other materials necessary for the protracted face-off with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). After a fresh face-off between the two armies was reported on the night of August 29, at least 60 volunteers have been trekking around 3 km every day, carrying the supplies for the army. “Chinese army is sitting on Blacktop mountain and other places in the area. Our army is in tents, while the Chinese army has brought tanks, cars, vehicles and latest artillery on their side,” said Tashi Namgyal, a BJP councillor from Tangtse constituency of eastern Ladakh, who visited Chushul last week along with a group of volunteers.

Immediately after the fresh tensions were reported in Chushul, the Indian Army cut off mobile communication in most of the areas in eastern Ladakh. “Tensions have again erupted around Rezang La and Gurung Hill. It is going to be a long haul and the armies are preparing for a long winter,” said Namgyal, who is again visiting the areas this week. On August 29, another local BJP leader said, firing had continued for more than an hour and villagers in Tsaga had moved to a nearby canal for safety.

A sarpanch from eastern Ladakh told ET, “On September 7-8, firing took place in the area between Chushul village and Tsaga village. Over 100 volunteers took the essentials to the tents of Indian Army today (Tuesday) as well.” The army moved about 100 earthmovers near the site to carry out construction and build bunkers as well. “In the fresh face-off, Chinese army has again intruded around 1.5 km at least at two places in Chushul, south of Pangong Tso. They are reaping the benefits of their aggression in May this year,” said another politician from Durbok of eastern Ladakh, who did not wish to be identified.


“The volunteers are saying it seems the army is there to stay throughout the winter,” said Namgyal. Tension along the LAC has percolated to Leh city, where locals are anxious of any further escalation and repercussions for the region. “We are living in a state of fear for many months now. The movement of troops is unprecedented and fighter jets flying in the skies are a constant reminder of our ominous future,” said Tsering Lamo a resident of Leh.