Governor Bandaru Dattatraya raised various issues with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh related to border areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts with China and urged him to strengthen network system in these areas.
In a letter written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor requested him to look into the matter personally and issue necessary directions to all concerned for securing the Indo-China border in the State.
He requested Defence Minister to install and operationalize dependable and robust telecommunication network in border villages of the State and to make adequate arrangements to track movement of drones from the Chinese side amid present conflict at Indo-China border. He said that air defence assets need to be positioned at appropriate locations to prevent violation of Indian air space.
He said that about 240 Kilometr of Indo-China border falls in two districts of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur (36 villages) and Lahaul & Spiti (12 villages). In view of the prevailing situation along Indo-China border a keen observation is being kept on the border movements.
Governor assured Defence Minister that the Himachal Pradesh Police is on high alert and the Superintendents of Police of these two districts have visited villages located near the border and interacted with the people to build their confidence. He said that the Director General of Police deputed five Commandants of the H.P. Reserve Battalions from 26th June to visit all the 48 villages in both these districts to interact with the people. They visited border villages in both the districts and submitted their reports.
Shri Dattatraya observed that there is an urgent need of an airstrip in the Spiti area in the Lahaul & Spiti District for prompt deployment of forces to the forward areas in case of need. This airstrip will act as advanced landing ground. Helipads in forward areas should also be developed.
He also recommended the presence of Central Intelligence Agencies, Indian Army and increase in the strength of ITBP to bolster people’s morale and confidence as also to meet with any unforeseen incident of intrusion by China. Besides, basic Chinese and Tibetan language training should be given to ITBP and State intelligence agencies and People may be imparted guerrilla warfare and defence training by the Central Para Military Forces like the SSB was giving prior to 2001 which is also the demand of the local people who possess high morale.