People of Demjok sit on staged protest demonstration and demands resettlement against EC Animal Husbandry Gurmet Dorje’s statement that came to light through a press release issued by Gurmet Dorje stating “There is not even a single household in village Demjok. Demjok is a reserved pasture of village Rupshoo for winter grazing. The inhabitant of Rupsho and the Hemis Monastery of Ladakh are the joint owners of the whole grazing area of Demjok without consultant of them encroachment of land are not possible”.

Rigzin Tangey Sarpanch Demjok said that there are about 39 families comprising of 140 people residing in Demjok but Gurmet Dorje has said that there is no household in Demjok which is totally wrong. We have electoral rolls, adhaar card etc. All we demanded was just a nomad tent to which Gurmet Dorje has stated that there are no families in Demjok. “We demanded tent last year but they say that we will get our share of tent this year. But this year again they have given just one tent to Demjok residents.

Tsering Cholden, Goba Demjok said “We have always protected our borders from Chinese troops so it is obligatory that council must also provide basic facilities to us as well”. We raised this issue several times and submitted copies to DC Leh, CEC Rigzin Spalbar, SDM Nyoma etc but nothing has been done yet.

Tsering Dorje, resident of Demjok said that we have been guarding the integrity and security of our nation since 1947 but now question has been raised upon our existence. “We demand that council should settle us somewhere else. We will continue with the dharna till our demand gets fulfilled. In the year 1962 when war took place between China and India, number of Yaks and horses of Demjok and Koyul has been killed”.

Meanwhile Gurmet Dorjee in a press release has said that Rigzin Tangias is trying to defame him and has submitted a false and malicious representation to Minister with an ulterior motive. “As far as Pashmina Production Programme is concern it is yet to be started and no single tent or material has been distributed. Therefore, question of misappropriation does not arise.

Gurmet Dorje has lodged a complaint against Rigzin Tangey and Jamyang Tsering namgyal under section of cyber law and Indian Penal Code beside defamation case for harming his reputation.