SRINAGAR: Kargil observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday following a call by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding postponement of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections scheduled during winter and a review of the recently completed delimitation exercise.
Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was thin on roads across the region. Additional police personnel were deployed in several areas as a precautionary measure.
The shutdown was called by the KDA, an alliance of political and religious organisations, trade bodies and civil society groups, which also announced a candlelight march under the banner of ‘Save Democracy’ in the evening.
KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili, accompanied by Ladakh MP Haji Haneefa Jan and civil society representatives, said the shutdown would continue until 5 pm, with essential services, including medical facilities, water supply and school buses, exempted.
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa has also urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to defer the elections, citing harsh winter conditions, snowfall, road closures and transport disruptions that could prevent residents of remote areas from reaching polling stations.
He also sought a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls and consultations with elected representatives, political parties and other stakeholders before finalising the election schedule.
Meanwhile, Leh Apex Body chairman Chering Dorjay demanded that the elections be postponed until April-May and called for a review of the delimitation exercise.
The administration has completed delimitation of 100 constituencies across Ladakh’s eight districts and approved 33 per cent reservation for women. The final electoral rolls are due on November 10, while the election schedule is yet to be announced.
