ITBP seeks more men to guard China border

At the time when China is gradually building up it's infrastructure along the Indian border, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has sought more sentinels to guard it's borders in tribal Lahual and Spiti along with Kinnaur districts of Himachal.

The state shares around 190 kilometres of its boundary with China of which, 80 kilometers is in Kinnaur and 110 in Lahaul and Spiti. The borders areas have usually been peaceful but lately, China has been expanding its infrastructure along the borders of Himachal.

ITBP, which mans the frontiers along China, has now demanded more posts for guarding the porous borders in Lahaul and Spiti district. “We have sent our proposal to the government. Lets us see how things shape up,” an ITBP official told Hindustan Times, requesting anonymity. “There are nearly 20 ITBP posts along the Chinese border,” he added.

What makes matter worst is the fact that there is no fencing along the border. Shipki La is a high mountain pass and border post on the Indo-China border at a height of 18,599 feet above the sea level. It is through this pass, the Sutlej river enters India from Tibet. Shiplki La pass is the main pass through which, the IndoChina trade gets carried out annually. There are many other mountain passes including Lepchala Rangla and Ranisha Dob Rang.

But, between the passes, there are many transit routes which are used by the villagers of bordering Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti to cross over to meet their relatives across the border.