Ladakh observes complete shutdown, accuses Centre of 'dilly dallying' over pending demands

Srinagar: Ladakh observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday against the alleged omission of promises from the minutes of the meeting principally agreed upon by the representatives of the Union Territory with the Union home ministry on May 22 in Delhi.

Hundreds of people reached Polo Ground in Leh, where they stayed for around three hours as the leaders of Apex Body Leh (ABL) and other religious organisations addressed the gathering and raised the core concerns of the residents of the Union Territory.

ABL and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) members had called for the strike, which got an enthusiastic response from locals as all business establishments remained closed in the two major towns of Leh and Kargil. They had accused the central government of employing “dilly dallying tactics” and “playing ping pong” with the people of Ladakh and not addressing their issues as promised at the May 22 meeting.


“Ladakh observed complete bandh and people followed the call 100 per cent. MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) has not included the points that were principally agreed in the meeting in New Delhi. This is what we protested today and we hope this will ring some bells in New Delhi,” ABL co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk told ET. He said concerns about Ladakh administration’s new liquor policy and privatisation of Ladakh’s power department were also raised during the protest.

ABL and KDA members said they were told that “the special provisions of Articles 371(A)(G) (F) will be included in a new provision of Article (K) that would be implemented in Ladakh and the proposed structure of the government would function like an assembly with powers to legislate on all Union Territory subjects”. It would be headed by a chief minister and have executive powers and financial authority, and the chief secretary would function under the elected government, they said.

They alleged that none of this was mentioned in the minutes of meeting shared with them, which is why they did not sign on it. Earlier, after the meeting in Delhi, the representatives were hopeful of a “positive new beginning”, which has now turned into a "damp-squib”, they said. Dorjay said they would be forced to now go back to their core demands of statehood and implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution in Ladakh.

“We want the central government to pay heed to our demands. We also raised the concerns about the issues of conversions in Ladakh and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) of different sects and religions operating in Ladakh, who don't have a single follower here,” said advocate Muhammad Shafi of ABL, who addressed the gathering at the Polo Ground.

“A successful bandh in Leh and Kargil and protest in Leh city is being observed today against the recently introduced excise policy facilitating the opening of liquor outlets, the ongoing land digitisation process being carried out without adequate consultation and consent of local stakeholders, and the proposed privatisation of the power department," said Sajad Kargili of KDA. He further said that the movement also reflects 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