LEH: Over 300 men of the Ladakh Scouts, an elite Indian army force, deserted with a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the past few days in protest against excesses on their Buddhist coreligionists and desecration of monasteries by police. Communal violence has become part of life in this beautiful mountain region demanding autonomy.
The international borders in the area were sealed after reports reached Delhi that 20 mutineers had crossed over to China and over 150 to Azad Kashmir to procure arms. Army units are combing the area.
The Indian Army is recruited along communal lines with Hindus forming most of the units.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 15, 1989
