STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: Requesting for resolving the issue of tourist amenities established by the villages in a peaceful and amicable manner, villagers of Phobrang Pangong sought intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, Leh. They rejected the proposal of relocation of tourists’ infrastructure.
A delegation in this regard met Deputy Commissioner Leh on Thursday and discussed the issue.
DC Leh reported to have assured the delegation to look into the matter.
“All the amenities in the form of restaurants, camps and guest houses have been granted registration by the Jammu Kashmir Tourism Department under Tourism Act w.e.f 2005 till March 2016. Since then our registration had not been renewed by the concerned Department,” the villagers claimed saying that being native of the area, they be allowed to earn livelihood from tourism. They claimed that they contributed to the nation during external aggression like 1962 war with China and have been citizens of this country in true sense by witnessing the frontiers of Ladakh in true cooperation with the Paramilitary force and Indian Army.
“We are feeling discriminated on various grounds since tourist business begin to prosper in the area. People of Phobrang – Pangong are denied benefits from tourists. During a visit of the Deputy Commissioner Leh, a JCB Machine and a tipper have been seized from Lukung area under the Wild Life Act. But unfortunately have not released by unknown reason. Neither they have been produced in any Court of law nor they were informed the reasons and fate for the last eight months,” villagers claimed adding that on the other hand in neighbouring village Spangmik more than 50 camps were built by using JCB Machines and heavy vehicles during the last year and the process is still going on and the last camp built on ground was on 25th and 26th of November 2017. None of the machineries have been seized from this village till date, they claimed.
They also said that no piece of land has been allotted for any person from Phobrang village by the revenue department while hundreds of Kanals of land have been allotted to other departments. Demolition notices of the existing structures have been informed strongly to Phobrang every now and then, a representation addressed to the Deputy Commissioner said.
“We are ready to accept any changes on the existing structures whether it is to change the distance from the lake, direction and colour of the structures or anything to create a nature friendly environment of the area. We are strongly against the proposed relocation policy of the government, Phobrang residents requested.
Finally they requested Deputy Commissioner to arrange a platform for negotiation on the issue so that they can put their views and discrepancies on the existing demolition policy and further informed that to get their right every single villager has decided to protest democratically for getting justice.
The delegation has also called on CEC, LAHDC, Leh, Dr Sonam Dawa and Executive Councillor, Dorjay Motup regarding the same.
