Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) holds meeting to discuss infiltration of Gujjar-Bakarwal in Rangdum.

Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) holds meeting to discuss infiltration of Gujjar-Bakarwal in Rangdum.
Leh, June 15, 2024: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), held a meeting at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat to discuss the infiltration of Gujjar-Bakarwal community on the grazing area in Rangdum.
General Secretary, Rangdum Gonpa Cultural and Welfare Society, Shri Tsering Tashi apprised the HLG of the recent infiltration and encroachment of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community in the grazing area of Rangdum despite the HLG’s meeting with members of both community last year in which it was decided that there won’t be any further infiltration in the area. He requested the HLG’s intervention to prevent the practice of infiltration by Gujjar-Bakarwal in Rangdum at the earliest. Shri Tashi further informed about the illegal construction of the building of Police and Animal Husbandry Department on the land belonging to Rangdum Gonpa and requested the HLG to dismantle both buildings. He informed that other part of the grazing land is a cause of dispute between Parkachik and Rangdum villages and the matter is currently sub-judice in the court. He requested the HLG’s intervention to prevent encroachment on the land from Parkachik side till the court gives its verdict.
The HLG informed about his visit to the area last year and his meeting with members of Rangdum and Gujjar- Bakarwal community at Rangdum to discuss the issues. He said that both communities had agreed and decided not to trespass in the area. The HLG stated that after the meeting, he issued an order to prevent any incident of trespassing and infiltration in the area.
The HLG inquired from the Advisor why the Administration of Kishtwar district has not followed the agreement. The HLG directed ADGP Ladakh and Director, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Department, to vacate the current building constructed at Rangdum and to shift to Kishtwar side at Shafat Nallah. The HLG also directed DC Kargil and SSP Kargil to submit a report on recent development in the matter. The HLG informed the Rangdum villagers that the Administration would not interfere in the land dispute between Rangdum and Parkachik village. He asked ADGP Ladakh to maintain law and order in the area.
Advisor to HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, informed the HLG that instructions have been passed to DC Kishtwar in this regard. He informed that after the HLG’s visit to Rangdum, the SSP Kargil had submitted a report regarding the traditional right of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community to graze their cattle in the area. The Advisor asked DC Kargil if the Bakarwal community has a valid permit to graze their cattle in the area.
DC Kargil, Shri Shrikant Suse informed that no document is available in the revenue record which allows Gujjar-Bakarwal community to graze their cattle in the area.
Advisor to HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; ADGP, Ladakh, Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IPS; Commissioner/ Secretary to HLG, Shri Laltinkhuma Franklin, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shri Shrikant Suse, IAS; Senior Superintendent of Police, Kargil, Shri Shriram R, IPS; Director, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Dr Mohd Iqbal; Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Kargil, Shri Mohd Sharief and representatives of Rangdum Gonpa were present in the meeting.