Apart from the Rinchending checkpost route, there is another road from Phuentshogling that connects the Phuentshogling-Thimphu highway at Ganglakha, before reaching Gedu. During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, local leaders of Dungna, Logchina and Maedtakha Gewogs raised concerns about this road being used for smuggling, cattle raiding, and other crimes.
The road begins in Phuentshogling Gewog and passes through several other gewogs. Despite its poor condition, it is being exploited without any check posts or monitoring.
The local leaders said that people use the road to bypass the checkpost in Rinchending. They also said that every year, people of these gewogs lose many cattle to cattle thieves.
“Community safety comes first. Since our gewogs are close to Phuentshogling, cattle theft is a major concern for us,” said Lobzang, Dungna Gup.
“The road is like an illegal route. While there is a Rinchending check post on one side, this route does not have one. Therefore, there are many reports of drug trafficking and illegal cattle slaughter in our area as they use this route,” said Tham Bdr Rai, Lokchina Gup.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu chairperson enquired with the police officials present in the house about the possibility of setting up a community police centre in these areas.
“If we establish a Community Police Centre in Dungna, it will also benefit the neighbouring gewogs like Logchina and Maedtakha. We have decided to open one in Dungna now. It is essential and should have been done earlier but we could not due to human resource limitations,” said Lt. Colonel Jamyang Tashi, Gedu OC.
According to police officials, a team of five police officers will be deployed at the new centre.
The Dungna Gewog Administration is helping with accommodation and other necessities. The community police centre is expected to open soon.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sonam Pem
