November 14, 2021
2 mins read

PLA recruits locals in Chumbi Valley to deal with Winter

Intelligence reports have flagged that one youngster from each house will be recruited in the PLA….reports Asian Lite News

China has launched a “compulsory recruitment drive” for locals in Chumbi Valley between Sikkim and Bhutan as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) solders from the mainland are unable to deal with the harsh winter situation.

Intelligence reports have flagged that one youngster from each house will be recruited in the PLA.

Chumbi Valley is a 100 km dagger-shaped salient that lies between Sikkim and Bhutan. From the Chumbi Valley dagger point, Bangladesh is around 100 km and in between India has the strategically Siliguri Corridor.

This gives China an upper hand to choke India’s vital lines of transportation and communication running through the Siliguri Corridor to the Northeast region.

The Siliguri Corridor is a stretch of land bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, measuring approximately 170×60 km and at the narrowest, it is about 20-22 km.

“So any development in the region is highly important to India,” said a senior government official, adding that locals joining the PLA is a rare phenomenon.

But with compulsory recruitment, China is making its presence felt, the official explained.

These recruits are taken to the PLA training facility at Nakchu in the Tibet Autonomous Region, said a source, adding that the training curriculum includes physical training, drill and maintenance of the accommodation and training areas.

“The new recruits are reportedly being paid 1,700 yuan as monthly stipend,” said the official.

These new recruits in PLA are divided into batches which are further divided into groups of 30 trainees each.

Among the trainers and instructors at the training centre, majority are from mainland China and a few from Tibet, who are helping with language translation.

The trainees are allowed to make only one short duration phone call to their family members back home from their mobile phones deposited in the training centre.

Not only that, it has been found that China has started building an alternative axis in the Chumbi Valley, closer to the Siliguri Corridor.

And adding to it recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a three-step roadmap between Bhutan and China for boundary resolution was singed.

ALSO READ: Pakistan issues visas to Sikh pilgrims from India

Previous Story

Changing trends in beauty industry

Next Story

China’s 3rd aircraft carrier likely to be launched next year

Latest from -Top News

India, France Hold Nuclear Talks

The meeting, held on Monday, reviewed progress in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and explored avenues to deepen the strategic partnership…reports Asian Lite News India and France convened the second meeting of their

Trump to Meet Pak PM at UNGA

The US President has already engaged with Pakistan’s military leadership, having hosted Army Chief Asim Munir for a lunch meeting in June….reports Asian Lite News The White House announced on Monday that

EU’s Kallas Calls India ‘Reliable’ Partner

The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of the shifting geopolitical realities…reports Asian Lite News European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has reaffirmed that

Rubio Calls India ‘Critical’ to US

Rubio “expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade…reports Asian Lite News US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described India as “critically important”
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘China behind Pakistan’s new controversial anti-terror initiative’

Khawaja Asif clarified that the main focus of operations under

China furious as US envoy meets Dalai Lama

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson stated that the designation of Uzra