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Ladakh: Shepherds Oppose Chinese Troops In Grazing Clash

Ladakh shepherds courageously resisted Chinese soldiers, attempting to prevent them from grazing sheep near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). After the 2020 Galwan clash, local shepherds had refrained from grazing animals in that region.

In numerous regions close to the LAC, nomads in eastern Ladakh had stopped grazing animals for the previous three years. They have never forced PLA forces to retreat while claiming the region for grazing.

The demarcation line dividing Indian and Chinese territory is known as the LAC. Different perspectives have resulted in disagreements between the opposing factions, occasionally escalating to violent altercations. But in this case, violence was avoided.

Chushul councillor Konchok Stanzin hailed the resistance the local shepherds showed and praised the Indian army for supporting them. “It is heartening to see the positive impact made by @firefurycorps_IA in Border areas of Eastern Ladakh in facilitating the graziers and nomads to assert their rights in traditional grazing grounds along the north bank of Pangong,” he said in a post on X, adding, “I would like to thank #IndianArmy for such strong civil-military relations & looking after the interests of the border area population.”

“See how our local people are showing their bravery in front of the PLA, claiming that the area they are stopping is our nomad’s grazing land. PLA is stopping our nomads from grazing in our territory. It seems it is never a never-ending process due to different lines of perceptions. But I salute our nomads, who always stand to protect our land and stand as the second guardian force of the nation,” he wrote.

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Multiple soldiers and at least three armoured Chinese vehicles were on the spot. Seemingly signalling the shepherds to depart, the cars sound an alarm. Shepherds were observed arguing with the PLA troops while they maintained their position. Grazing on Indian territory is what the shepherds insist upon. Some shepherds appear to pick up stones when the argument gets heated; there are no weapons with the Chinese soldiers.

The Chushul councillor said the shepherds could bravely face the PLA troops because of the support of the Indian forces. “No doubt that our forces are always with civilians resolving the grazing issues with the PLA; it’s all because of their support that our nomads could bravely face the PLA,” he said.

There have been continuous clashes along the LAC due to the boundary dispute between China and India. Twenty Indian troops lost their lives in a significant battle in the Galwan Valley in 2020. According to sources, China lost far more soldiers than their claimed four soldiers. Both parties have had numerous military and diplomatic consultations to keep the peace since the escalation.

The situation along the LAC remains “stable but sensitive”, Army Chief General Manoj Pande recently told news agency ANI. “In the last year or thereabouts, we haven’t had any more friction areas in this. In terms of our efforts at resolution, our talks and dialogue at the military and diplomatic levels continue with the adversary,” General Pande said.

 

 

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