Two prime bodies steering movement across Ladakh region- LBA and KDA are once again on confrontational mode with Centre, nourishing concern that the Union government is making an attempt to dilute the commitments with regard to demands put forth in the draft already presented.
Tsering Dorjey Lakrook, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association states that long-pending demands of Statehood, and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule are still unresolved and issues unsettled which is why entire Ladakh region observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday. The shutdown was also a message to press for credible dialogue with New Delhi and protest against the recently introduced excise policy in the region.
In Leh and Kargil, shops remained closed while transport was off the roads, as the Ladakh bloc raised concerns over the delay in issuing the minutes of the May 22 meeting between the Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs' Sub-Committee. The leaders accused the centre of failing to honour the understanding reached between them and New Delhi.
At the last meeting, the Ladakh bloc claimed the Centre had agreed in principle to grant the region constitutional safeguards under Article 371 and legislative, administrative and financial powers without a legislative assembly.
In Leh, people gathered at Polo Ground where Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Anjuman Imamia, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam and Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) addressed the gathering. They raised concerns against the proposed liquor policy, privatisation of the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) and land tourism-related issues.
“We will not accept any policy imposed on us. The recent liquor policy by Liuetanant Governor's administration calls for the opening of 20 liquor shops. This alcohol culture has no place in our society and religion,” said KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili.He said that the protest shows the growing demand of the people of Ladakh for democratic rights, constitutional safeguards, protection of land and resources and greater participation in decisions that directly impact their future.
Earlier, Leh Apex Body chairperson Chering Dorje Lakruk accused the centre of “omitting” some key points agreed between the two sides in the last meeting. He had refused to sign the minutes of the meeting.
The shutdown disrupted normal life in the Union Territory on Tuesday, while people took part in a protest in Leh demanding a commitment from the Centre on the decisions taken in a meeting of Ladakh representatives and a subcommittee of the Union home ministry regarding the constitutional safeguards to the region, officials familiar with the matter said.
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