The current unrest in Ladakh escalated as two major local organisations, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) declared that they would not be present during the planned negotiations with the Union Home Ministry on the 30th of September. The groups, which have been on the lead in the demand of constitutional protection of Ladakh, alleged that discussions cannot be staged at gunpoint’s, accusing the government and some sections in the media of framing the Ladakhi as anti-nationals with suspected foreign connection.
Allegations Fuel the Rift
Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, a co-convenor of the LAB described what he termed as false charges against the people of Ladakh, including that there was collusion with Pakistan. According to him this was a story meant to slander the movement and destroy local demands toward rights and independence.
Another issue that Mr. Lakruk noted was that the turning point was the denial of a court investigation into the killings of four civilians during the firing of police on September 24, in Leh. Children were shot in the head. CRPF fired without the authorization of the district magistrate. We know, and nothing is ordered to be investigated judicially. He says that some 50 individuals, among them students, are still in custody, which causes additional unrest.
Fury about Funerals and Detainments.
Ladakh factions also resented the limitations placed on citizens during the funeral of two protestors, amongst which was Tsewang Tharchin, a war veteran of Kargil. According to the locals, barring people to participate in the final rites had aggravated the anger and alienation of the people.
Also, the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on the National Security Act (NSA) has emerged as one of the hot spots. Mr. Even after pushing the button, Lakruk claimed that the government was only aiming at Wangchuk because he was raising his voice on behalf of the rights of Ladakh. “They want to silence us. Where shall we bargain where our youth and leaders are called anti-national? he said.
Dialogue with Government.
The Union ministry of home affairs has once again announced readiness to discuss the Ladakh groups despite the boycott. The ministry noted in an official statement that the government was always willing to engage in dialogue with both LAB and KDA at any given time that discussions under the High-Powered Committee (HPC) had already produced some positive results such as more Scheduled Tribe reservations, representation of women in government-run hill councils, safeguarding local languages, and government job recruitment drives.
But the groups claim that they are not enough to address their fundamental demands statehood and the being of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would provide more powerful protection of land, culture and resources.
Roots of the Unrest
Ever since Article 370 was abrogated and Ladakh was split into a separate Union Territory without an elected legislature in August 2019, locals have been demanding legislative representation and constitutional safeguards. This is illustrated by the feeling of political alienation in the region that is profound in the recent violence during the protests and the continuous hunger strike by Wangchuk and others.
Mr. Lakruk threatened that the groups would not re-enter negotiations until the government takes off the anti-nationalist tag on Ladakhi protestors and orders a judicial investigation into the September 24 police shooting.
Source : The Hindu
Looking for website Designing ? Connect with wovved today.
