‘People Have Forgotten, But We Can’t’: PM Modi on Rehabilitation of Border Villages Evacuated During 1962 China War

Uttarkashi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the government has launched a campaign to rehabilitate the two villages of Uttarakhand that were evacuated during the 1962 India-China war.

Prime Minister Modi said that Mana and Jadung villages, which have been abandoned since 1962, will soon be developed into major tourist destinations. 

Addressing a public rally in Harsil, Prime Minister Modi said, “People might know that when China attacked India in 1962, these two villages of ours were evacuated. People may have forgotten, but we cannot forget."

Presently, Jadung village is under the control of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

(Jadung village in Uttarkashi district)

Govt Rehabilitating Villages Abandoned Post 1962 War

"We have launched a campaign to rehabilitate these two villages and are working towards making them major tourist destinations," he said. 

Prime Minister announced that this year’s budget includes provisions to develop 50 tourist destinations, granting hotels at these locations the status of infrastructure. 

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He emphasized that this initiative will enhance facilities for tourists and promote local employment opportunities.

According to the Uttarakhand government data, 11 villages near the Indo-China border in the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh were "completely empty with no residents there".

Emphasising the government's efforts to ensure that border areas of Uttarakhand also benefit from tourism, the Prime Minister said, “villages once referred to as the "last villages" are now being called the "first villages" of the country”. 

PM Modi highlighted the launch of the Vibrant Village Program for their development, under which 10 villages from this region have been included. He noted that efforts have begun to resettle Nelong and Jadung villages and mentioned the flagging off of a bike rally to Jadung from the event earlier. 

Prime Minister also declared that those building homestays will be provided benefits under the Mudra Yojana.