Exclusive: Condition of patrolling in Demchok and Depsang on LAC, frequency no more than before

New Delhi: Patrolling is being done on LAC in Eastern Ladakh in Demchok and Depsang as per the agreement between India and China. According to sources, the armies of both India and China have done independent patrolling once each at one of the two patrolling points of Demchok. Patrolling by both the armies has taken place at one of the five points of Depsang. As of now (till late Thursday evening), no date for patrolling has been given from any side regarding four points of Depsang and one point of Demchok. According to the agreement, they have to inform each other at least a day before patrolling.

Condition regarding patrolling, no more frequency than before.

According to sources, it has been decided in the agreement that the frequency of patrolling will not be more than what was there before April 2020. Earlier, there used to be maximum one patrolling in a month from the Indian side and when snow fell, patrolling could not be done for 2-3 months. It was almost the same from China’s side also. Many times Chinese soldiers did not patrol every month. The same pattern will continue even now. First, soldiers of both the countries will do independent patrolling at the remaining four points in Depsang. After which the frequency will remain the same as before April 2020. In Depsang and Demchok, the smallest petrol takes about 5-6 hours to complete and the biggest petrol takes about 20 hours.

New road not used in Demchok

India built a new road in 2017 to provide easy access to CNN Junction at Demchok. After which objection was raised from China’s side. According to sources that route was not completed. It was decided in the talks that that route would not be used. It was said from the Chinese side to remove that route. But how can anyone remove the path cut on the mountain? India promised that they would not use that route and to reassure China, potholes were also made at some places on that route.

According to sources, even when talks were held regarding disengagement, China raised the issue of this route. India’s side said that we have kept our promise and have not used this route. China had also built a new road near the LAC in Demchok. Its work was not completed and after talks, China also stopped work on it and promised that they would not use that route. Both the armies are not yet using these new routes.