Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 25 (ANI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday expressed concern over the recent violent protests in Leh.
Speaking with ANI, she attributed the unrest to fears among Ladakhis that their land and culture are under threat, emphasising that the government must address these apprehensions through concrete actions, not empty promises.
She further condemned accusations against Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a tactic to hide government failures and warned that converting Ladakh into an “open jail” would have severe repercussions, urging Centre to address the fears of Ladakh residents through meaningful action rather than “jumlas”.
Speaking to ANI, she said, “Ladakh fears that their land will be snatched from them, and the culture there will change. This fear has to be addressed by the government through actions, not ‘jumlas’. If you (Centre) want to convert Ladakh into an open jail, then its consequences will be really bad. To hide their (Centre) failure, they are making others the scapegoats. I condemn the levelling of accusations at Sonam Wangchuk.”
The unrest followed a 14-day hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been peacefully protesting for these demands for five years, even undertaking a notable barefoot walk from Leh to Delhi.
The unrest in Leh stemmed from long-standing demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. People in Jammu and Kashmir have also made a similar demand of statehood ever since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Authorities in Leh have imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. According to an order from the District Magistrate, an assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district; no procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval in Leh.
It is well known that the Government of India has been actively engaged with the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance on the same issues. A series of meetings was held with them through the formal channels of the High-Powered Committee (HPC), as well as the Sub-committee, and multiple informal meetings with leaders.
The next meeting of the High-Powered Committee has been scheduled for 6th October. Meetings are also planned for 25th and 26th September with leaders from Ladakh.
On the other hand, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a high-level security review meeting on Thursday to assess the situation following protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status that turned violent, resulting in clashes with the police.
He emphasised the need for heightened vigilance, stronger inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures to ensure peace, security, and public order throughout the Union Territory.
In a post on X, Office of the Lt Governor, Ladakh shared, “Lt Governor@KavinderGuptachaired a high-level security review meeting to assess the emerging situation across Ladakh, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, & proactive measures to safeguard peace, security, & public order across UT.”
“All our protests and talks with the Government have been very peaceful till now, and we want to continue with that. We are a border area and for the last 70 years we have fought with the enemies Pakistan and China. Whoever has shot people should be held accountable for killing people in cold blood,” Mustafa said while demanding a probe into it.
People of Ladakh have been demanding the inclusion of the Union Territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution contains Article 244(2) and 275(1), which reads, “Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.” (ANI)
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