Why does the Union Territory want an extended territorial control?
In January this year, Ladakh’s two key socio-political conglomerates, the Leh Apex Body (LAB), representing several Buddhist religious and political parties, and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
These represents Muslim religious groups and local parties, submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as part of an ongoing dialogue between the Centre.
The newly-carved Union Territory over a series of fresh demands from the region.
These demands include extending the territorial control of Ladakh up to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Ladakh, spread over 59,146 square kilometres, was a part of the Kashmir division of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
It was carved out as one of the Union Territories, the other being J&K, out of the State on August 5, 2019.
As the Centre ended the special constitutional position of the region provided to it under Article 370.
However, unlike the UT of J&K, Ladakh does not have a legislature.
But it has two elected hill councils, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) and LAHDC-Leh.
They run micro governance issues of the region with a population of 2.74 lakh (2011 census).
Ladakh is a Muslim-majority UT, with the Leh district dominated by Buddhists and Kargil by Shia Muslims.
The region witnessed a divided reaction to the Centre’s moves to abrogate Article 370 and 35A, provisions that granted exclusive rights to locals over land, jobs and natural resources.
Leh for many decades, supported the demand for UT status.
However, Kargil, after the events of 2019, has been insisting on reunification with Kashmir.
What are the demands of the two key bodies?
In the past two years, both the socio-political bodies of Leh and Kargil launched street agitations, protesting against the UT status without a legislature.
Both districts joined hands to launch a major campaign for the restoration of Statehood with a legislature.
Earlier, Ladakh would send four members to the J&K Assembly and two members to the State’s legislative council.
There is also a unanimous cry for special status under the Sixth Schedule and Article 371 of the Constitution of India.
On the lines of Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim and other northeastern States.
People of Ladakh argue that opening up the region to outsiders and outside investment will impact “the most ecologically fragile and sensitive areas.”
Ladakh also demands exclusive rights over recruitment.
It has put forth a proposal to the Centre to have the Ladakh Public Service Commission for the recruitment of gazetted jobs.
It also demands that the twin hill councils should have the power to recruit lower rung staff for the region.
The Ladakh resident certificate should be the only basis for applying for these jobs in the region, said the key bodies of Ladakh in the memorandum.
COMMENTS