National Desk, 31st January: A group of shepherds in Ladakh showed remarkable courage when they confronted Chinese soldiers attempting to prevent them from grazing sheep near the India-China border. Despite having ceased grazing activities in the aftermath of the 2020 Galwan clash, the shepherds returned to the area only to be halted by the Chinese Army. Undeterred, the locals asserted that they were on Indian territory, challenging the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
A widely shared video of the incident on social media has garnered praise for the shepherds’ bravery. Chushul councillor Konchok Stanzin, saluting the nomads, emphasized their role as the second guardian force of the nation. Stanzin highlighted the confrontation, stating, “See how our local people are showing their bravery in front of the PLA, claiming that the area they are stopping is our nomad’s grazing land.”
In a separate post, Stanzin expressed his appreciation for the shepherds standing up to the army, calling it “heartening to see.” He credited the positive impact made by the Indian Army in Eastern Ladakh’s border areas, enabling graziers and nomads to assert their rights in traditional grazing grounds along the north bank of Pangong. Stanzin thanked the Indian Army for maintaining strong civil-military relations and safeguarding the interests of the border area population.