Sikkim’s Lone RS MP Bats for Land Rights to Indo-Tibetan Border Residents, Highlights Role in National Security

Lepcha highlighted that during the Doklam standoff in 2017, local residents worked as porters, ensuring the delivery of army supplies, which significantly aided Indian forces

Sikkim’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has called for the urgent granting of land rights to people living along the Indo-Tibetan (China) border on the Indian side. In an exclusive interview with North East Live, Lepcha stressed that these residents play a pivotal role in national security, citing their involvement in the Doklam conflict as a crucial example.

Lepcha highlighted that during the Doklam standoff in 2017, local residents worked as porters, ensuring the delivery of army supplies, which significantly aided Indian forces. He argued that granting land rights would not only fortify their emotional bond with the land but also bolster border security in future conflicts.

“During the Doklam standoff in 2017, local residents served as porters and helped deliver army supplies, which greatly supported Indian forces. Providing land rights would not only strengthen their emotional connection to the land, but also enhance border security in potential future conflicts.”, Lepcha said.

Drawing attention to China’s policy of establishing human settlements along its border, Lepcha pointed out the stark contrast on the Indian side, where vast tracts remain classified as forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries.

“China has successfully implemented human settlements in its border area, whereas the Indian side has mostly forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries.”, he said.

He emphasized that people from the plains are unable to settle in the harsh conditions of the high-altitude border areas, leaving locals as the most suitable custodians of the region where they are naturally acclimated.

According to Lepcha, armies from the plains need a minimum of 10 days to adapt to the severe climatic conditions, while the locals are naturally acclimatised, making them invaluable in guarding the borders. He urged the government to recognize their strategic importance and grant them land rights similar to those provided by the West Bengal government to people residing along the Sevok to Rangpo road line.

He said, “The armies from the plains require at least 10 days to acclimatise to the harsh climatic conditions, while the locals are naturally acclimatized, which makes them highly valuable for guarding the borders. The government should acknowledge their strategic significance and grant them land rights similar to those provided by the West Bengal government to people living along the Sevok to Rangpo road line.”

In a separate concern, Lepcha voiced alarm over the ongoing closure of National Highway 10, which has inflicted a daily loss of Rs 100 crore to Sikkim’s GST revenue. He reassured that he, along with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Home Minister Amit Shah to address the matter urgently.

Lepcha also hinted at a positive development regarding the reopening of the Nathu-La trade route and the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, both of which have remained closed for nearly nine years. The MP assured that these issues have been raised in parliament and are being pursued for resolution.

Also Watch: Sikkim RS MP Pushes for Land Rights to Indo-Tibetan Border Residents on Indian Side

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