LAHDC-Kargil passes resolution seeking statehood for Ladakh

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil on Friday passed a resolution demanding full-fledged statehood for Ladakh, protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh districts

Published on: Nov 25, 2022, 22:56:04 IST

By HT Correspondent, Srinagar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil on Friday passed a resolution demanding full-fledged statehood for Ladakh, protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh districts.

Two organisations from Leh and Kargil had earlier this month come together to hold a massive protest in Ladakh to demand statehood for the union territory, separate Lok Sabha seats for its two regions and its inclusion under the Constitution’s sixth schedule to safeguard land, employment, and cultural identity of the local population. (Representational picture from Twitter/NawangTsondus)

The LADHC (K) has demanded establishment of ‘Ladakh Public Service Commission’ with the LRC as a mandatory requirement for all gazetted posts in Ladakh.

Engineer Punchok Tashi , executive councillor for tourism and Zanskar affairs, moved the resolution and councillor Syed Abas Rizvi seconded the resolution. The four-point resolution was passed after 21 out of 26 councillors signed it.

“After the reorganisation of the state of J&K, there has been a greater resentment among the general masses of Ladakh regarding the representation of the public in the government. lt has given rise to apprehensions among the public with regards to safeguard of land, job, culture and ecology. There is need of providing full-fledged statehood to Ladakh UT keeping in view of its strategic importance, unique culture, and population,” reads the resolution.

The resolution said in view of the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, the protections provided regarding land, culture, jobs, and ecology were no more there. Hence, it has been unanimously agreed across all strata of Ladakh that only the sixth schedule of the Constitution can ensure due protection,” the resolution further said.