Leh (NVI): Days after the military disengagement in Pangong Lake area of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Ladakh’s two border villages have been provided 2G mobile phone services for the first time, fulfilling a long-pending need of the locals.
The service has brought cheers to the people of Merak and Khakted villages, which are located in the south of Pangong Lake, as it was like a dream coming true.
The mobile network has been established with the help of Army, which laid the Optical Fibre Line while the BSNL provided the equipment.
Local people and leaders actively participated in the installation. Councillors provided batteries for the systems while the local people worked on laying the cable lines.
“#Merak & #Khakted, border villages on South of #PangongTso got the first Mobile Network from @BSNL_India. @adgpi laid the OFC, Solar installed under my Constituency Development Funds New 2G network also connects Army posts on Finger4 & Thakung @ITBP_official posts. Thank you,” Merak Councillor Konchok Stanzin tweeted.
#Merak & #Khakted, border villages on South of #PangongTso got the first Mobile Network from @BSNL_India. @adgpi laid the OFC, Solar installed under my Constituency Development Funds New 2G network also connects Army posts on Finger4 & Thakung @ITBP_official posts.
Thank you? pic.twitter.com/Wj6k7EP8KW— Konchok Stanzin (@kstanzinladakh) March 2, 2021
Stanzin said the mobile phone connectivity will benefit not only the local residents but also the personnel of Indian Army posted in border areas and tourists visiting Pangong Lake.
He described it as a dream come true for the people of Meerak and Khaktet villages and ‘Finger 4’ border area and said he is making efforts to bring mobile phone connectivity to all border areas falling under his constituencies.
Lt Colonel Anirudh Singh, the Second-in-Command of Chushul Battalion, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony, said the Army and civilians in border areas are living harmoniously, supporting each other in the need of hour.
He assured all kinds of support to the villagers, saying the Army is ever ready to help them in any eventuality.
A colourful culture programme was also organized showcasing the vivid culture of Changthang region to celebrate the occasion.
The development comes days after disengagement was carried out by the armies of India and China in North and South of Pangong Lake, following a nine-month tense face-off. The disengagement was completed by February 21, with China moving back its troops and military assets to the east of Finger 8 and India shifting its troops and assets to Finger 3.
