As Ladakh got a new identity as a Union Territory, thousands of people protest in Kargil and said the government is discriminating in the distribution of power.
New Delhi: On Thursday, Residents of Kargil district observed a “Black Day” to protest against the formation of the Ladakh Union Territory on its first day of existence. Kargil is one of the two districts of the Union Territory, the other being Leh.
As Ladakh got a new identity as a Union Territory, thousands of people protested in Kargil and said the government is the discriminating distribution of power. The protestors also reiterated their demand for the restoration of statehood for the entire region again.
The new Union Territory of Ladakh as per the reorganization of the state is divided into two districts, Kargil, and Leh. The protestors said that the government at the centre has already started discriminating between the two districts favouring Leh over Kargil.
Protesters today in Kargil, Ladakh region of J & K against the abrogation of Article 370 & 35A. There isn't going to be 'normalcy' in the region. @cjwerleman @HerNameIs_Bea @carin__fischer @RCorbettMEP @UN @UN_News_Centre @UNESCO @Ilhan @ImranKhanPTI @PTIofficial @standwkashmir pic.twitter.com/OxeyFd7hwn
— Ubaid Bhat (@UbaidBhatt) October 31, 2019
Former Member legislative council from Kargil, Aga Syed Ahmed Razvi, said people of the town are being discriminated against and left out. “Kargil is facing many issues of infrastructure, connectivity and development as the Centre’s attention are more on Leh,” he claimed. “The citizens did not want this bifurcation. We are not separatists, we want unity and justice. Even when this bifurcation has happened, there should be a balance between Kargil and Leh.”
While BJP MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal called the bifurcation an “inclusive development plan” for the local people of the region. “The people of Ladakh have been waiting for this for the last 71 years,” he said. “This place has immense potential for border security, defence, ecosystem and medicinal plants, besides tourism.”
This was Kargil,Ladakh yesterday.
Several hundred people took to the streets of Kargil in the newly formed Union Territory of Ladakh to protest against the August 5 decision of the govt. of India to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir and read down Article 370. #Kargil pic.twitter.com/DoPvstVtnS— TAMANNA PANKAJ (@TamannaPankaj) November 1, 2019
Former MLA from Nubra Valley in Leh Deldan Namgyal said people were expecting inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to protect their culture and economic aspects. “We are waiting for an announcement from the Centre,” he said. “Political and religious organisations are showing their resentment for not including us in the Sixth Schedule. We are happy with the Union Territory decision, but we are also showing resentment as there is no protection.”
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