SRINAGAR: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has announced another candle march in Kargil on Saturday, November 14, as part of its ongoing agitation against the proposed conduct of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections during the peak winter season.
The announcement comes two days after the KDA organised a ‘Save Democracy’ (Democracy Bachao) candle march in Kargil on November 10, following a complete shutdown in Kargil and Sankoo over concerns surrounding the proposed Hill Council elections and the delimitation process.
The November 10 demonstration witnessed the participation of hundreds of residents, civil society members, traders and transporters. The march was led by KDA co-chairmen Sajjad Hussain Kargili and Asgar Ali Karbalai, along with Ladakh MP Haji Haneefa Jan.
The KDA and other protesting groups have demanded the deferment of the LAHDC elections, arguing that holding the polls during peak winter could deprive 20–25 per cent of Ladakh’s population of their voting rights because of harsh weather conditions and seasonal migration.
The protesters have also raised objections to the delimitation process for the Hill Councils and reiterated their demand for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The agitation has received support from political parties, including the Congress, National Conference and Aam Aadmi Party, as well as religious and civil society organisations in Kargil and Leh.
The latest announcement follows the Ladakh Chief Electoral Officer’s restrictions on protests in the region.
Meanwhile, the KDA has announced that Sajjad Kargili, accompanied by a delegation, will visit Leh on Friday to meet the Leh Apex Body leaders at the protest site and discuss the prevailing situation and further coordination over the demands.
