‘Declare Ladakh a full-fledged division’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: The struggle for grant of separate Union Territory status to Ladakh region is likely to get a further momentum with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) local unit not only endorsed the demand fully but said that it will also not hesitate in making sacrifices to take the struggle to logical conclusion.
“The demand of UT for Ladakh region is in our flesh and blood and there is no question of not supporting it’’, former BJP Minister and MLC from Leh Tsering Dorjay told reporters at a press conference here, today along with CEC Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Jamyang Namgyal.
Namygyal however refuted that BJP failed to fulfil the promise regarding grant of UT status to Ladakh region saying this needs a two third majority in Parliament and later the same should be ratified by State Legislature. The BJP leadership has not backtracked from their promise in this regard, he added.
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In response to a question that grant of UT status to Ladkah will lead to disintegration of the State, Namgyal retorted that“ unity of the State can’t be on cost of our existence’’.
Both Dorjay and Namgyal said that their party will strive hard to achieve UT status demand as they have not given it up.
Expressing serious concern over the continuous discrimination to which Ladakh region has been subjected for last 70 years through the hands of successive governments, Namgyal said a delegation led by him comprising of other councillors called on State Governor, Satya Paul Malik and submitted a memorandum to him demanding a full-fledged Division for Ladakh region at par with Kashmir and Jammu divisions to end the long standing discrimination with the region.
Clarifying their stand on UT status to Ladakh region they said a “Special Session” of the Hill Development Council was convened recently in Leh and the House deliberated on the issue threadbare. A consensus was reached to reinforce the demand and pass a resolution in order to impress upon the authorities in Central as well as State Government to take urgent steps to fulfil the demand. However, with a view to give impetus to the overall development of the region, creation of a separate Division for Ladakh has become imperative, they added.
Carving out a separate division for Ladakh would in no case dilute the demand of the people of the region for UT, they said.
The BJP leaders from the region said Ladakh is distinct from Kashmir in all respects culturally, ethnically, linguistically and geographically. Ladakh remains cut off from rest of the country for more than six months in a year. Besides, Ladakh occupies 70% geographical area of whole of J&K, they added.
They said Ladakh deserves special attention and treatment in infrastructural development as it borders with two unfriendly countries. Grant of separate Division to Region will provide space for promotion of its rich language, script and to preserve , promote the unique art and cultural heritage of Ladakh, they added.
They said besides, it will open more avenues for development of the region in general, and end the exploitations and discriminations of Ladakhis.
They also expressed concern over failure of the Government these in sanctioning Central University, Medical College and Women College though the people have been continuously demanding the same.
Establishment of a full-fledged Central university In Leh would immensely benefit the students community and would also benefit the economy of the region.
They said that in comparison the previous coalition rule of Congress and NC Ladkah region saw a lot of development during BJP rule. The present problems faced by the people of region is the constant neglect faced by them during over last 60 years of Congress –NC rule.
During the last visit of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to Leh, his attention was drawn to the opening of a Medical College in Leh .He was pleased to pass suitable instructions in this regard.
The other demands highlighted in the memorandum included opening of Kailash Mansarovar road from ladakh, inclusion of Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution, fixing of cap on airfares to Ladakh region and Ladkah region be given exemption from GST.
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