Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Zanskar district Kargil has demanded district status for Zanaskar Sub Division.
The demand was made at a press conference here, today by Tsewang Chotar, president of the Association along with Panchok Tashi, Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil, Stanzin Lakpa and Kargil, Stanzin Jigmat Councilors LAHDC, Kargil and Geshar Tsuntrin Dorjey representative of Gompa Association Zanaskar.
Tsewang Chotar president LBA, Zanaskar said that Zanaskar trans-Himalayan is an important geographical region having a significant history and civilization. Zanskar was given special importance and preference from very beginning and during the time of Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule Zanskar had a representative called Praja Sabha (equivalent to present MLA) in the Council of Maharaja. Even after independence three tehsils in Ladakh region were created i.e Leh, Kargil and Zanaskar, he added.
He said while Leh and Kargil were accorded separate districts status in 1979 unfortunately Zanskar was ignored and not given the status of the separate district. He said geographically Zanskar is one of the most backward and remote area within Kargil district where the unique example of carrying postal services on human back still persists.
Chotar said Zanskar is the only Sub Division in the country which has 235 kms Kachha road and remains cut off for over seven months from its district headquarter and rest of world during the year. The Zanskar region spread over 7000sq kms geographical area. It is bordering Himachal Pradesh in South to Kishtwar in South West etc, he added.
He said within Zanskar region some villages are situated more than 100 kms away from its Sub Division Headquarter, Padum and remain isolated within Sub Division. An effective, accountable, efficient and good governance can’t be delivered in Zanskar which is spread at such a large geographical area and very far away from its district headquarters, he added.
Chotar said even some districts like Upper Dibang district of Arunanchal Pradesh having a population of 8500 and geographical area of 3525 sq kms has been given the district status while in comparison to that Zanskar has a population of over 20,000 and geographical area of 700sq kms. Moreover, there are some other districts like Mahe in Puducherry, Central Delhi in Delhi, Yanan also in Puducherry, Diu in Daman and Diu in India having geographical area less than 50 sq kms, he added.
He said keeping these points in view the Government should not hesitate in according district status to Zanskar Sub Division. He said the LBA representatives have already met State Governor in this regard and they will again meet him in connection with this genuine demand which has support of all organizations of Zanskar.
He said except the assurances they got nothing from the Government till date. The LBA made an appeal to Governor Satya Pal Malik to concede this long pending demand of the people who are the most underprivileged class of society in J&K.
He said the LBA and people of Zanskar held a protest at Indira Chowk in 1995 regarding the demand and since then they have been struggling for the same. The LBA leader said they are hopeful that Governor’s administration will give justice to them. Earlier a symbolic protest was also held by the students of Zanskar in support of the demand and they were addressed by LBA president and other leaders also.
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