China entered Demchok as Congress didn't give due importance to Ladakh: BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, BJP MP from Ladakh who shot to fame after his impassioned speech on Article 370 in Parliament, feels region did t get due importance in defence policies under Congress rule and that was why "China has captured its area up to Demchok sector".

first-time parliamentarian also claimed that Congress governments ruined Kashmir by following policy of "appeasement" in hostile situations and Ladakh became a "collateral dam".

"(Former Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehru formulated 'forward policy', which said we should move towards China inch by inch. During its implementation, it became a 'backward policy'. (Chinese troops) continued to intrude into our territory and we continued to retreat," Namgyal told PTI in an interview.

"It's reason Aksai Chin is completely under China. People's Liberation Army personnel have come up to Demchok's 'nallah' because Ladakh didn't get due importance in defence policies in 55 years of Congress rule," 34-year-old added.

In July last year, Chinese and Indian troops engd in a standoff after People's Liberation Army objected to India constructing a 'nallah' or canal in its own area near Demchok.

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In July this year, Chinese troops crossed Line of Actual Control (LAC) and entered Demchok sector after some Tibetans hoisted Tibetan flags on occasion of Dalai Lama's birthday. Army chief General Bipin Rawat had later said: "re has been intrusion. Chinese come and patrol ir perceived line of actual control."

Asked how things will change from defence perspective with Ladakh becoming a Union territory, Namgyal said region would w get its due importance.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP said execution of rehabilitation project anunced by n home minister Rajnath Singh would put an end to migration from border vills.

" borders will become secure when city-like facilities, including roads, communication, schools and hospitals, will be provided to se areas under Narendra Modi government," he said.

Namgyal, who earned praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for his speech in Lok Sabha a fortnight ago on Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, said Congress made a mistake by approaching United Nations on Kashmir issue.

"Secondly, it followed policy of appeasement whenever situation in Kashmir turned hostile. It never dealt with it strictly. Whenever situation flared up in Kashmir, Congress tried to calm tempers by anuncing special packs. It made stone-pelters happy and gave protection to separatist. Neir its policy was good and r its intention. It ruined Kashmir and Ladakh became collateral dam." Namgyal said.

Ladakh MP criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for attacking Centre on situation in Kashmir post scrapping of almost all provisions of Article 370, saying a person like him could say anything to "keep his chair safe".

"Congress ruled for 55 years but could never muster eugh cour to take such a bold step. w y are terming it craziness. We are t bored about what he says," Namgyal said.

Giving examples of losses Ladakh suffered by being with Kashmir, he said: "We have a degree college here which comes under University of Kashmir. w, even if re's an error in spelling of names, student has to go to Srinagar to get it corrected. If re's trouble in Kashmir, it takes a Ladakhi student five years to complete a three-year course."

Namgyal said if a transfer or promotion of any Ladakhi government official was pending, employee had to go to Srinagar or Jammu himself to request m to move file forward. He alleged that posts of teachers for Bodhi langu were converted into posts of teachers for Kashmiri langu.

According to BJP MP, Jammu and Kashmir administration would divert funds sanctioned for Ladakh. It never considered Ladakh's geography, climate, and environment while framing policies for region.

On future of Ladakh Automous Hill Development Council, Namgyal said: " Union home minister himself has said in Parliament. LAHDC will continue to remain. People should t worry."

On apprehensions of locals that outsiders would buy land and dam Ladakh's environment, Namgyal assured people that such thing would happen.

"Some people are saying that bigger fish (outsiders) will eat smaller ones," he said. "Ladakh's land belongs to its people. According to Ladakh Automous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, matters related to land comes under LAHDC."

Namgyal said people need to understand that re were several sectors in Ladakh that had t been explored yet and investment would lead to employment generation. 

"Shouldn't we bring investment in IT sector?" he asked, adding that re would be several riders. "y won't be able to buy land. y will have to lease it," he said. "We will also demand reservation in jobs for our people and royalty for LAHDC."

Namgyal also urged Centre to declare region a tribal area under Sixth Schedule of Constitution to protect its land, culture and identity.