Secure border areas

Sir — This refers to the article, “On the defensive on too many occasions” (May 21) by Sandhya Jain. 

We cannot continue to appease the Islamists of Jammu & Kashmir-ladakh and play forever the minority card. New Delhi’s callous indifference to ladakh must end. The Government forgets the crucial fact that the villagers, shepherds and the common people in the border areas are the country’s best source of intelligence. Reportedly, villagers in ladakh had provided tip-offs to the concerned authorities about the incursion by Chinese troops. But those inputs, were ignored resulting in an unnecessary stand-off between the two countries. 

The Government must launch a concerted effort to recruit more ladakhi youth in the Army. The BJP too needs to take up the matter of national security and territorial integrity in the right earnest. It must send out the message that there will be no compromise on the issues of sovereignty, security and civil and fundamental rights of the citizens.