Shiban Khaibri
With the same administrative apparatus, the same rules and regulations, the same constitution and the same prevailing conditions, Governor’s administration could do what the previous popular governments could not do so far, in respect of addressing the problems of the strategic and geographically specially placed region of Jammu and Kashmir with abundance of mountain beauty and a rich culture known as Ladakh. As is by now fairly known that Divisional status is contemplated to be given to this comparatively hitherto neglected part of this state, it is tantamount to Ladakh getting its first due ,in a row of expectedly many in the near future, perhaps, denied to it when it should have not been appearing to be denied. In other words , the long pending demand of the people has been given due weightage and sanguineness. The credit of taking this daring but much needed decision goes to Governor Satya Pal Malik who has bestowed a new definition to performance, in his own right, and demonstrated the will in taking bold but timely decisions. He has, thus, added one more feather to his cap by ameliorating to a larger extent, the problems of the Ladakhi people in respect of agreeing to granting of divisional status to Ladakh . If it is said that the step shall pave the way for emancipation of the people of this region , it will not be any hyperbole; emancipation of continuous neglect, emancipation from red- tape and delays, from travelling long distances for routine issues, from not being adequately heard, from not getting developmental benefits as warranted and needed and last but not the least, from the hegemony of the political leadership of one dominant region of the state.
Agreed, that all problems faced by Ladakh were not going to be resolved by this move but it is definitely going to matter a lot as issues of routine matter which concern a common man shall get resolved and settled right in one’s place of living instead of by moving to Srinagar and Jammu where government shifts by rotation of six months . If we go by the principle of parity and natural justice coupled with much hyped rhetoric of “equal treatment ” to all the three regions of the state , then the concept of Darbar Move in the context of Ladakh needs to be given a deep thought and its efficacy appraised. Darbar move which is now proving not only out of date, not only involving avoidable cost factor but appearing unique and thus redundant looking to the availability of modern facilities , communication, easy and comfortable travel , information technology and the like should have the region of Ladakh too as a beneficiary . In other words , why should the Darbar shift between Srinagar and Jammu only and not between Srinagar, Jammu and Ladakh on equal terms , on a dispersal of four months for each region? The idea may look weird and uncanny and invite disagreement but a counter question put by this writer would be as to why should Ladakh as an equal partner of the state not get benefit or the “trouble” of the outdated Darbar move depicting the taste of Royalty and the declaration of the “intolerance” to the cold and hot weather conditions of Srinagar and Jammu regions respectively . Now almost each and every office and institution of the state reaping the benefits of this “Move” are equipped with Air Conditioning machines, coolers, fans and heating arrangements to render the practice absolutely wasteful and anomalous. You move all the records , files, boxes, papers in trucks in an era when there are computers and fastest modes of communication, storage facilities, preserving of backup records which all make this move quite atypical and freakish.
Whatever the case, Ladakhis have to travel long distances for getting their normal routine work and issues settled only after reaching Srinagar or Jammu commensurate with where the symbol of absolute aristocracy was stationed. If demands , aspirations and equal treatment had any real meaning in the absolute terms, then justice warrants that a four month Darbar should be rotated between the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir state. This writer is not for purposes of lending a thought to the people of Ladakh to raise such a type of demand but does it not principally smack of uneven treatment between the three regions , the loser becoming Ladakh which formally was incorporated in 1842 into the Dogra state of Jammu and Kashmir. It may be recalled that Ladakh was being administered as a “Wazarat” during the Dogra rule , a governor called as Wazir-e- Wazarat administering the entire area.
It may be recalled that in 1947, Pakistani army along with savage raiders had created trouble in this area also but timely military operations resulted in their rout. Since in run up to focus mainly on Kashmir division of the entire state as perhaps being symbolic of Jammu and Kashmir , much less in respect of the very rich culture and the history of Ladakh is made known and widely publicised. We have to explore concertedly and know not only about Ladakh more but include the same in the text books of our School going children in order to acquaint them with more about our own state , in particular the nearly neglected Ladakh. For example, how many of our students’ community know about the famous and equally hilarious Zojila battle where the valiant Indian Army created feats of bravery and professional acumen. Pakistan had launched its first formal offensive in conjunction with its actions in the Kashmir valley , the same ploy of keeping armed Kabaylis in front and full military offensive following their front lines .
A brief account here will not be out of context as the state by November 1947 had already lost Gilgit and Baltistan even before the Indian army had reached there, in fact in the state itself . Ladakh was in a mess thronged by refugees narrating heart rending atrocities committed by Kabaylis and Pakistani Army which had advanced up to the Zojila pass and even captured it . The crucial land link from Srinagar to Kargil – Drass and Leh was cut off . The conditions were such that the fall of Leh seemed imminent and with that, there remained no doubt about the entire Ladakh going the same way. In short, lot of military exercises and strategies were employed leading to the construction of one makeshift airstrip enabling finally a Dakota to land on this airstrip, highest in the world. Legendary General Thimmaya was on board this maiden flight commandeered by yet another brave heart Air commodore Mehar Singh . The importance attached to Leh can be imagined with this bold and breath taking strategic planning to fly in reinforcements to save Leh and finally the whole of Ladakh.
Pakistani Army was so much strongly positioned here that it was too well dug in and faced artillery and air attacks. Here the feat of bravery and the zenith of professional decision making capabilities of General Thimmaya, is unparalleled and must be carried on from generations to generations . Only heavy fire from tanks would dislodge the strong position of Pakistanis was what the great General opined. Time was running out and winter was about to set in . No tanks were ever used in any warfare at such an altitude . Move to push tanks all during the night due to secrecy was given a chance and how those tanks reached there is due to the singular and unprecedented valour and courage of the India Army. In short , the news about tanks reaching this height took the world by surprise and Zojila was captured and had it failed, we would have lost Ladakh and probably Srinagar as well. Ceasefire, however, prevented the Army from capturing Skardu.
Ladakh needs , therefore, much more from the government from time to time in every possible area . Getting the divisional status is just in tune with and in the fitness of things but the state Administration under the present Governor deserves all praises . Yes, it could have been done earlier but it is better late than never and it was going to have a cathartic effect for the peace loving and patriotic people of Ladakh.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel