Kargil observes half day bandh, protest rally taken out

Kargil, Mar 20: A half day bandh was observed in Kargil district and a protest rally was taken out on Wednesday on the call of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a conglomerate representing various political, social, religious, student organisations in Ladakh.

KDA had called for a complete half day “Kargil bandh” and a “protest march” , in support of its demands mainly including statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule. As per reports a complete bandh was observed in Kargil district with all business establishments, other private offices closed while transport was off the roads.

Thousands of people in Kargil gathered for the protest rally which started at Fatima Chowk to Hussaini Park Kargil. The protestors held placards.

The leaders said such protest will continue in future if their demands are not met . KDA has also expressed support to environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 21-day “climate fast” which entered 15th day on Wednesday. They also announced the commencement of a hunger strike in Kargil from March 24 to 27. “We want resolution of our main demands through dialogue but the central government closed the door of talks on March 4 by rejecting both our main demands — statehood and (inclusion under) Sixth Schedule — compelling the people to hit the roads,” Asgar Ali Karbalai, the KDA’s co-chairman, told reporters after the rally. He added the people of Ladakh are determined to carry forward the struggle for their rights. “We had several rounds of talks with the government of India but, unfortunately, they gave cold-shoulder responses,” he said. Karbalai said the KDA leadership is leaving for Leh on Thursday and will meet the Apex Body Leh leadership to chalk out a joint strategy and roadmap to carry forward the agitation with more vigour. “We are united and the people of Kargil will always remain in the forefront of the agitation,” he said.