With Chinese incursions becoming more aggressive, the Army is pushing for a rethink on patrolling restrictions in certain “sensitive areas” of the Line of Actual Control. The restrictions, imposed by the China Study Group many years ago, prevents Indian military troops from going up as close as possible to India’s claim line in certain areas where Chinese incursions have increased of late.

It’s learnt that the CSG, comprising secretaries from Defence, Foreign and Home ministries besides the two intelligence heads, had in the past placed restrictions on the Army in certain areas of the LAC so as to avoid any confrontation or clashes with Chinese troops. These, sources said, roughly relate to 10-odd areas in the Western Sector of the LAC in Ladakh, almost the entire Central Sector which includes Sikkim and about four areas in the Eastern Sector where perceptions vary and are hence, “sensitive”.

In these areas, the Army is not allowed to go right up to the front while China has imposed no such restrictions on its Army. About three months back, the CSG is said to have relaxed a few restrictions, given the heightened Chinese activity in Sikkim but the military is clearly not satisfied and wants complete lifting of restrictions.

In many of these sensitive areas, the Indo-Tibetan Border police is allowed to carry out an occasional patrol but with strict instructions not to provoke. In fact, sources said, in some areas of Sikkim, the ITBP personnel are asked to go without weapons to prevent provocation.

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