DHARAMSALA: The police and the para-military forces deployed on the mountain ranges separating Chamba and Doda districts have taken up positions to plug the Himachal Pradesh border against possible infiltration by militants in the wake of planned joint combing operations by the security forces in Doda district.

A battalion of the CRPF and at least two reserve battalions of the Himachal Pradesh police have been deployed in the mountain ranges of the Chorah valley for better patrolling in the region. Security forces have taken up positions at commanding a height overlooking the mountain passes on the Chamba border. We are ready to repulse any militant overtures in the region the DIG said. He said the morale of the security forces was high and the people living In small hamlets in the border region had also expressed satisfaction with the security measures.

The police have identified at least 18 crucial points on the Chamba border running alongside Doda Kishtwar and Katha region of J and K. which could be used by militants for crossing over to Chamba. We are trying to seal as many entry points as possible in the mountainous terrain. As the snow is melting greater vigil will have to be maintained. Security men will also have to be deployed on the side of the Pangi valley as the passes there will soon open as the snow melts Singh said

Meanwhile the Chamba police have made some preventive arrests and are keeping a close vigil on the houses of certain known anti-social elements in the border belt. The police officials feel that additional security forces are required in the border belt to deal with the possible influx of militants into Chamba.

However general opinion among Security forces is that quality rather than the quantity of the personnel deployed would be the key factor in tackling the problem in this hilly terrain

The security of the 800 odd Kashmiri migrants settled intents in Makkan and Sanwal villages on the Chamba border poses on additional challenge.

In fact the migrants have expressed willingness to cooperate with the security forces in identifying the traditional routes in the mountain ranges. Rana said the migrants were ready to go back to their houses in Gandoh tehsil on three conditions seeing up of Army pickets in their native villages patrolling by the Anny and providing of arms for self defence.

Meanwhile the Chamba district administration has been engaged in transporting rations to the migrants. Deputy Commissioner Manisha Nanda said that the real worry of the administration was the approaching monsoons which would make transportation on mules through narrow mountain passages extremely difficult.

There is an additional danger of an epidemic spreading in the rainy season.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 24, 1994