Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), held a meeting at the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat to address the infiltration of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community into the grazing areas of Rangdum.

Tsering Tashi, General Secretary of the Rangdum Gonpa Cultural and Welfare Society, informed the LG about recent infiltrations and encroachments by the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities despite a previous agreement. Last year, a meeting facilitated by the LG had resulted in a decision to halt further infiltration in the area.

Tashi requested the LG's immediate intervention to prevent ongoing infiltrations.

Additionally, Tashi raised concerns about the illegal construction of buildings by the Police and Animal Husbandry Department on land belonging to Rangdum Gonpa. He requested these buildings be dismantled. He also mentioned a land dispute between Parkachik and Rangdum villages, which is currently sub-judice, and sought the LG's help to prevent encroachment from Parkachik until the court's verdict.

The LG recounted his visit to the area last year and his meeting with members of the Rangdum and Gujjar-Bakarwal communities, where both sides had agreed not to trespass. Following this meeting, an order was issued to prevent further incidents. He questioned why the Administration of Kishtwar district had not adhered to the agreement and directed the ADGP Ladakh and the Director of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department to vacate the buildings constructed at Rangdum and relocate to Shafat Nallah on the Kishtwar side. He also directed DC Kargil and SSP Kargil to submit a report on recent developments.

The LG assured Rangdum villagers that the Administration would not interfere in the land dispute between Rangdum and Parkachik villages. He instructed the ADGP Ladakh to maintain law and order in the area.

Advisor to the LG, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS, informed the LG that instructions had been passed to DC Kishtwar regarding the issue. He mentioned that after the LG's visit to Rangdum, SSP Kargil had submitted a report about the traditional grazing rights of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. Dr. Kotwal asked DC Kargil if the Bakarwal community had valid permits for grazing.

DC Kargil, Shri Shrikant Suse, confirmed that no documents in the revenue record authorize the Gujjar-Bakarwal community to graze their cattle in the area.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS; ADGP Ladakh, Dr. SD Singh Jamwal, IPS; Commissioner/Secretary to the LG, Shri Laltinkhuma Franklin, IAS; Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Shri Shrikant Suse, IAS; Senior Superintendent of Police Kargil, Shri Shriram R, IPS; Director of Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Dr. Mohd Iqbal; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Kargil, Shri Mohd Sharief; and representatives of Rangdum Gonpa.