Ladakhis welcome decision

Kargil, Aug 26: The people in Ladakh Monday welcomed the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs to create five new districts in the Union Territory but said that they would continue their struggle for the restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is fighting for their four major demands including granting of statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, said they would continue their peaceful struggle.

They also announced to start foot march from Leh to Delhi beginning September 1 in support of their four demands.

Noted environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is leading the major movement for the safeguarding of the people of Ladakh, has welcomed the decision.

He said that in 2019 the people of Zanskar were promised that they would be given a district and it had finally been done.

“The response to the decision will be known only after it is clear if the new districts are administrative districts or autonomous districts which will have elected council as happens under the Sixth Schedule areas,” Wangchuk said in a video that he posted on microblogging site X.

“If these districts are part of the districts that fall under the Sixth Schedule, then it is a welcome development. If these districts do not fall under the Sixth Schedule, then our movement for these rights will continue.” Wangchuk said.

He said that the people were happy when Ladakh was declared a Union Territory but it created a crisis when it lacked assembly and the Sixth Schedule was not extended.

Prominent socio-political activist from Kargil, Sajad Kargili said, “We welcome the decision taken by the Centre. However, I appeal for an amendment to include the Suru Valley region as a district as well. Not giving district status to the Sankoo Suru region is an injustice towards the people of that region,” Kargili, who is part of the LAB said in a post on X. “Moreover, it is also important to clarify whether these new districts will be fully functional with all powers and responsibilities, or if they will resemble the sub-divisions created earlier, where powers have not been transferred to them till today.

“The creation of new districts can be truly beneficial if accompanied by the establishment of an assembly and further democratic processes. Without this, there is a risk of adding bureaucratic layers in Ladakh instead of enhancing democratic governance.”

Bhartiya Janata Party’s Ladakh unit including CEC LAHDC Leh Tashi Gyalson, former Member of Parliament Tsering Namgyal, and other leaders also welcomed the Centre’s decision.