New DelhiAbout 40 Chinese yaks had entered Indian territory in the Demchok area of eastern Ladakh, which have been returned by the Indian Army. The army also asked the Chinese army to ensure that their animals do not enter Indian territory repeatedly. There has been a standoff between India and China on the LoC in eastern Ladakh for more than four years. These yaks entered Indian territory on August 19 and were returned a day later. According to sources, the yaks were returned a day later because the village sarpanch claimed that his yaks had also gone towards China and China did not return his yaks. However, the Army, ITBP and civil administration together decided to return the yaks and the Indian Army informed the Chinese Army about their yaks.Told China- take care of your animals
There is a fixed protocol between the Indian and Chinese armies on the LAC under which ground commanders talk every day and inform or object in case of any such incident. According to an officer, the Indian Army informed the Chinese Army about these yaks and also told them to ensure that their animals do not come to this side.
Why do animals cross borders?
According to an officer, when villagers leave their animals to graze on pastures, they often go here and there. Sometimes our animals go to the other side and sometimes they come to our side. If animals from the Indian side go to the other side and do not return, then there is a provision for compensation for it by the local administration. An officer said that many times animals go here and there while grazing but we remain alert about it. Pastures near the Line of Actual Control are not only important for the villagers living nearby and their animals but they are also important for the security of India's border. That is why, every day sometimes Chinese soldiers stop the people of India from taking their animals there and sometimes Indian soldiers ask the people on the Chinese side to take their animals from there.
Villagers of Pal on the LAC in eastern Ladakh say that over time China has started claiming many pastures that they used to visit earlier and we were prevented from going there. Pastures are also important because through this both countries strengthen their claim on that place. The places where Indians take their animals are Indian territory and even if China claims it, Indian shepherds strengthen India's claim on that place.
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