Smuggling worth crores along Sino-Indian border in Ladakh

Sumir Kaul

Leh, Sep 20 (PTI) The age-old barter system is back along
the Sino-Indian border but with a twist as Indian traders
smuggle daily needs into Tibet in exchange for fancy Chinese
goods through the Line of Actual Control.

The area -- Changthang -- is located south east of Ladakh
and has been a haven for smugglers who carry essential
commodities like rice, wheat, vegetables having longer
shelf-life, cigarettes and "bidi" and cooking oil.

And in return, the Indian smugglers flood the market with
Pashmina shawls, Chinese crockery, toys, electronic items and
blankets, say civil and military officials in Ladakh area.

According to these officials in this Himalayan township,
before last year's Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese had set up
two temporary shelters in Dumchele area opposite to India's
Changthang area where traders from both sides assembled and
exchanged goods to the tune of several crores of rupees.

Some of the officials also feel that smuggling was being
allowed by the Chinese because it was difficult for them to
maintain the essential supplies to western Tibet area from
the mainland China.

As the Tibetan protests grew during the Olympics, the
Chinese closed down this facility and sealed the borders thus
paving the way for smugglers from both sides to operate in a
major way on barter system. (More) PTI