SRINAGAR: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday called for a complete Ladakh Bandh on June 23, accusing the Centre of delaying decisions on crucial political and constitutional demands and warning that the people of the Union Territory would no longer remain silent in the face of what they described as continued inaction.
The shutdown call was announced after a crucial meeting of the joint core committee of LAB and KDA, in which noted activist Sonam Wangchuk also participated. While transport services will remain operational, business establishments and commercial activity across Ladakh are expected to remain shut.
The protest marks a fresh flashpoint in Ladakh’s ongoing movement seeking constitutional safeguards, protection of land and jobs, and greater local control over governance after leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the May 22 sub-committee meeting held in New Delhi.
Addressing a press conference, LAB Chairman Lukruk Shreing Dorjey, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, said the people of Ladakh had hoped the concerns raised before the Centre would find reflection in the official record of the meeting, but were disappointed to find no meaningful progress on core issues.
He said demands relating to constitutional protections on the lines of Articles 371A, 371G and 371F, along with safeguards for employment and local interests, remained inadequately addressed.
“The government’s tactics are not good. They are buying time and their intentions do not appear good. We will not remain silent,” Dorjey said.
Dorjey alleged that significant developments concerning Ladakh were taking place behind closed doors without adequate consultation with stakeholders in the region.
The speakers during the press conference also rejected suggestions that the forthcoming visit of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama would overshadow the political movement.
“They think the Dalai Lama is visiting Ladakh and we will remain silent. We will not. We know what is happening and we know what is being done through the back door,” the leaders asserted.
Member of Parliament Haji Hanifa Jan, Asghar Karbalai, Sajad Kargili, Muhammad Ashraf Barcha and several other senior leaders attended the press conference and endorsed the shutdown call. [KNT]
