Repeated thefts are becoming a growing concern for the residents along the border in Chhukha’s Samphelling Gewog. While some suspect possible cross-border involvement, there is no official confirmation. Local leaders say preventive measures are being planned to address the issue.
The Regional Seed Centre in Sampheling Gewog, relocated from Sarpang just months ago, is still setting up its basic infrastructure.
But even before operations could fully begin, metal materials worth hundreds of thousands ngultrum were stolen.
For officials, the incident was both sudden and concerning. But for the people living along the border, such losses are not new.
Tshering Wangchuk, Regional Manager of Regional Seed Centre said, “We have kept our materials on the ground as we don’t have a proper storage yet. Although we have fenced the area, we are still in the process of building infrastructure. In between, some of our materials were stolen. I was told that others in the area have faced similar problems.”
In villages of Sonamthang, Pangnatoed, Pangna Maed, and Pangnabar, residents say theft of property and crops has been happening for years.
According to the local leaders, thefts have been reported frequently, including the loss of crops such as areca nut.
Residents report such incidents to the police and local authorities.
Local leaders say porous border makes monitoring and prevention challenging.
Karma Jurmi, Phuentshogling Dungpa said, “Various items have been stolen, including fencing materials. This has happened repeatedly. Measures such as electric and wire fencing have not been effective. We are now planning to construct concrete boundary walls of adequate height, with additional wires on top.”
The Dungkhag administration has prepared cost estimates and submitted it to the government.
For now, until preventive measures are put in place, residents will have to continue to be on alert.
Kinley Dem
