Shimla, July 1
The boundary dispute between Himachal Pradesh and the neighboring regions of Leh and Ladakh continues to remain a contentious issue, particularly in the Lahaul Valley’s Shinkula Pass area. Despite a survey conducted nine years ago, unauthorized businesses and encroachments remain a significant problem, igniting local tensions and political action.
The most recent incident involved a tourism entrepreneur setting up tents at Darcha Panchayat, located approximately 18 to 20 kilometers from Shinkula Pass on the Darcha-Shinkula Pass-zanskar-Leh road. This area has been a hotspot for such disputes, exacerbated by the strategic and scenic Manali-Leh route. The controversy escalated when Congress MLA Anuradha Rana personally visited the site to assess the situation, accompanied by Darcha Panchayat Pradhan Ashok.
MLA Rana’s visit was part of her proactive efforts to address the longstanding issues in the region. She ensured the removal of the unauthorized tents and reinforced the administration’s instructions to vacate any unlawful setups. The Forest Department had also directed a dhaba operator in the Shinkula Pass to vacate the land, highlighting the ongoing efforts to curb illegal encroachments.
The dispute isn’t new. Similar incidents have been reported over the past decade, notably in Palmo near Shinkula about eight to nine years ago. The Manali-Leh route has been a focal point for such conflicts, with Leh businessmen setting up tents 17 to 30 kilometers inside the Himachal border at Sarchu, further straining relations. Despite a visit from a Survey of India team in 2015, which confirmed the unauthorized encroachments, the matter had remained unresolved until now.
MLA Anuradha Rana’s visit and the subsequent removal of unauthorized constructions at Shinkula Pass demonstrate a hands-on approach to governance, ensuring compliance with administrative directives.
The roads in this high-altitude region, often closed due to heavy snowfall, were reopened by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) before the Lok Sabha elections, facilitating renewed business activities and tourism. However, the persistent alleges encroachments have necessitated strict administrative action to preserve the integrity of Himachal Pradesh’s borders.
Also read Leh-Ladakh intrusion into Himachal Border, member raises concern
In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the issue has also garnered attention, with local MLAs demanding swift resolution of the encroachments.
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