Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh convened a high-level meeting with Gen. Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staffs and other defence officers in presence of BJP State President & MP, Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, CEC, LAHDC, Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson and Executive Councillor, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee at South Block, New Delhi on November 12.
 
MP Ladakh and CEC, Leh put forth important issues and demands including ongoing border issues in eastern Ladakh. They also demanded the establishment of a separate Command in Ladakh, an extension of Battalion in Ladakh Scout Regiment and opening of Women Battalion in Ladakh Scout, the opening of Sainik/Airforce/Military School in Leh, Ladakh, functional of Advance Landing Ground of Chushul, Mudh, and Fukchey, construction of alternative Military Airport in Padum Zanskar and Wakha Thang, early completion of construction of Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road which needs to speed up for a strategic reason and also Wanla, Lingshed to Padum road to be made blacktopped at the earliest as this road is best to provide alternative road connectivity during emergency and provision to keep this road open during winter. 
 
They also stressed on early construction of Chushul-Dungti-Demjok-Fukchey Road, construction of Multipurpose Tunnels at Khardongla, Changla, Namkila, Zingral-Tharuk and Photola in Ladakh, deployment of Soldiers of the Ladakh Scout Regiment on Indo China Border given the Jawans of Ladakh Scouts being a son of soils and familiar with the terrain, construction of Bunkar for civilian living along the border, permission/NOC from MoD for Installation/operationalization of Mobile Tower already sanctioned in Border areas of Ladakh, formal permission/order for tourists visiting Siachen base, use of Mobile (BSNL) towers under army authority by civilians living along the border without any restriction/interruption. 
 
The delegation also demanded the release of land under Army occupation in Leh town and its periphery, especially village pasture land and State land meant for a public purpose. They further assured Defense Minister that LAHDC, Leh will provide alternative land at a suitable location for Army. They said that the civilian land under Army’s occupation at border villages needs to either vacate or paid compensation/rent as resentment is brewing among the public due to the loss of their source of livelihood. 
 
Release of three acres of land from Airforce control at Thoise Nubra to make UDAN scheme implementable, operationalisation of Thoise airport under UDAN, easing out of restriction along the border for native locals to take their livestock for grazing on traditional pasture land, increase in the tonnage volume on army aircraft during winter month to provide vegetables and other essential items to provide better and nutritious food to people especially during the COVID pandemic, relaxation and increase in the vintage value of Truck, Buses, and Taxis from current vintage restriction so that livelihood of people involved in this trade is taken care of (Mostly Ex. Men have involved this trade through Cooperative Societies) and many other issues were raised. 
 
Relaxation in guidelines for procurement of Milk, Vegetable and Hay from local vendors of Ladakh to encourage Vocal for Local slogan with Mission Atma-nirbar Bharat, local labours at Siachen Glacier may be provided with better facilities, Army ordinance in Ladakh should give preference to local while hiring manpower, an extension of Northern Grid to Changthang region (and approval of the Rs.135 Cr worth DPR submitted by ITBP to MHA get access of Northern Grid to Changthang region), sanction of USOF tower for Border villages and other villages, deployment of a separate battalion of SSB in Ladakh for various security reasons and other demands and issues were also raised during the meeting and requested for early approval and recommendation from Army and MHA.