The ongoing border row with China has brought to fore fresh challenges to the security of Uttarakhand which was earlier also in the limelight after some Chinese armymen had intruded into the demilitarized zone in the Barahoti area of high altitude district Chamoli of the state some three to four years ago. There was also a reported air space violation by the Chinese planes around the same time in the same district bordering China.
At that time both the state and the Central governments seemed highly concerned over this incident as this happened to be a major development on this border with China after the 1962 war.
Over the years, and specially after the formation of Uttarakhand state in the year 2000 and the gradual dilution of ties with Nepal with which Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district shares its eastern border, the strategic position of the central Himalayan state has become much more vulnerable. India’s sour relations with Nepal and strengthening of bonds between Beijing and Kathmandu in recent times has made it all the more necessary both for the State and the Central governments to implement plans for building the necessary infrastructure in the rugged mountainous terrains of the state to face the two countries common threat on a war footing.
Even as China is currently engaged in pre- war like military exercises near its border with Uttarakhand, the ascendance of Maoists to power in Nepal and their recent topographic aggression on India have made the two nations' intentions much more clear now. Both the nations appear to have assumed a belligerent stance towards India.
Even though the Union and the state governments have taken ample measures to monitor the cross border movements in Pithoragarh district, the Chinese intelligence network is reportedly posing a latent threat not only to the security of the state but to the entire country as well. Since the Indo-Nepal treaty of 1950 has not been abrogated as yet, cross border movement can not be stopped in toto. Thus, there is always a possibility of rogue elements making an effort to enter India and pose a serious threat to the country's security. The present Nepalese political dispensation, which is heavily under the influence of China, may not be so much bothered allowing such agents to cross over to India. Similarly, we can safely assume that Uttarakhand's northern high altitude areas are being closely watched by China all the time. There are four areas, lying above 17,000 feet, which make the cross border accessibility easy for the Chinese. These are -Barahoti, Niti and Mana pass in district Chamoli and Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh district.
It is often reported that Chinese have developed an excellent infrastructure right across the border which includes communication, rail and road modernisation. Besides, a large number of Chinese forces are said to have been positioned by China across its border with Uttarakhand recently in a bid to threaten the security of Uttarakhand and the country. Therefore, in the event of a war with India, Chinese would be able to shift their troops to the desired locations in no time. In contrast, however, India has no such infrastructure in place, particularly in Uttarakhand. Thus, in the eventuality of such a situation taking place, and in the absence of matching infrastructure in this side of the border districts, it might really cost Uttarakhand and the country dearly.
Therefore, there is indeed a crying need for developing a proper defense related infrastructure in the state. This central Himalayan state is also known for major centers of Hindu shrines which are visited by millions of devotees round the year.
It seems the Union government is moving fast in this regard. The recent meeting of one of the senior air force officers, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar with the state Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat for allocation of some land for setting up a few advanced landing grounds and radar facilities can be seen as one of the steps in the right direction. Such facilities need to be set up in Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi districts. Even the army is planning to set up airfields in the border areas in the wake of the latest border stand off.
It may also be mentioned here that the director-general of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lieutenant General Harpal Singh also met Rawat to discuss the fast completion of Rs 18,000 crore ongoing project for a vast road network along the Chinese border of the state. According to some reports, a few roads have already been completed.
Along with developing the defence infrastructure, observers feel that there is also a pressing need to improve the communication, medicare, education and transport facilities in the mountains. They feel jobs need to be created for local hill folks who are still migrating to other states. They also stress the need for exploitation of available natural resources of the state in order to generate more revenue. The youth of the state are said to be the second line of defence. Similarly, observers feel that farmers can also provide enough strength to the hillfolks in the hour of need not only as food providers but also as fighters being the members of martial races. But farmers' basic interests must be protected.
Therefore, it is high time a serious brainstorming is done to look into the gaping loopholes in the preparedness of the state to face the latest challenges from across the state's border.
(The author is a veteran journalist based in Dehradun)
