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Ladakh presses for secession from Valley, demands UT status
Alarmed by the agitation in the wake of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani’s death, people from Ladakh are demanding secession from Kashmir. They also want the BJP government at the Centre to set a deadline for abrogation of Article 370, a prerequisite for granting Union Territory status to Ladakh.
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As the Centre grapples with the ongoing crisis in the Kashmir Valley, there is trouble brewing at another end of the state — demand for trifurcation is gaining ground in Ladakh.
Alarmed by the agitation in the Valley, in the wake of Hizbul Mujahideen operative Burhan Wani’s death, Ladakhis are demanding separation from Kashmir. They also want the BJP government at the Centre to set a deadline for abrogation of Article 370, a prerequisite for granting UT status to Ladakh.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Thupstan Chhewang, the BJP MP from Ladakh, said the people of the region are getting restless and do not want to remain with Kashmir, as they fear it does not bode well for their security.
“An attempt is being made to form a coalition of all political parties in Ladakh to form a front that would push for UT status,” he said. The Congress too supports the demand for UT status for Ladakh, even though during its coalition term with the National Conference the suggestion was turned down.
The BJP MP who wants to raise the issue at the forthcoming national executive of the party in Kerala, said the people in the hill region are worried that the unrest in Kashmir will spill over to Ladakh; and the BJP government in trying to please its alliance partner, the PDP will not fulfill its election promise of granting a UT status to Ladakh.
Chhewang, a former chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), said Ladakh’s demand for UT status with a separate legislative should be met, keeping in view the security of the region that shares a border with China.
“The compromises that it (BJP) has made after its alliance with PDP, has disillusioned us. Article 370 abrogation has been put on the back burner; it seems they (BJP) will also do what the other political parties have done. ”
Earlier this month a delegation of Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman Imamia and Anjuman Moin Ul Islam petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing UT status for the region.
Chhawang said the development work, including a financial package of Rs 27,000 crore that was announced by PM Modi for Ladakh gave hope to the people that their long-pending demand for being an independent entity would be met.
“At the time of accession to India, people of Ladakh had petitioned Maharaja Hari Singh to allow them to stay separate from Kashmir, their fears were not unfounded as after 70 years we have seen how Ladakh has suffered step motherly treatment,” he said.
He ruled out the possibility of a Greater Ladakh, as has been sought by representatives in Kargil. “Only a few political and religious leaders with extreme views who want to mislead people want a Greater Ladakh, the local people don’t want to be with Kashmir,” he said.
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