Amid intensified protests in Ladakh that have caused significant human and infrastructural loss over the past few days, the Congress party on Friday urged the government to awaken its conscience to the distress and anguish of the people of Ladakh.
Congress emphasized that addressing the situation is not merely about holding talks but about actually fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of Ladakh’s residents in full measure at the earliest possible time.
An uneasy calm prevailed in Ladakh on Thursday, as police and paramilitary forces strictly enforced a curfew in Leh town. This came a day after protests for statehood turned violent, resulting in tragic consequences.
According to reports from news agency PTI, the protests that escalated on Wednesday led to the loss of four lives and left around 90 others injured.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, recalled that six years ago, the people of Ladakh had high hopes when the Union Territory of Ladakh was created. However, he noted, there has since been massive disappointment and disenchantment among the local population.
He pointed out that the people of Ladakh have witnessed their land and employment rights being severely threatened. Furthermore, local administration and elected bodies have been increasingly taken over by the Lieutenant Governor and the bureaucracy.
Highlighting the ongoing demands of the people across the Union Territory, Ramesh stated, “The people have seen only meetings after meetings regarding their legitimate demands for protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and for an elected legislature.”
Ramesh also touched upon the broader geopolitical tensions affecting the region, expressing concern over the “great uncertainty” triggered by China’s unilateral abrogation of the status quo on the Line of Actual Control and the Prime Minister’s June 19, 2020, “clean chit” to China.
He underlined the profound cultural, economic, ecological, and strategic importance of Ladakh to India, adding, “The people of Ladakh have, at all times, been proud Indians to their very core. Their distress and anguish must awaken the Government of India’s conscience—not just for more talks, but for actually fulfilling their legitimate aspirations in full measure at the very earliest.”
So far, at least 50 people have been detained in connection with the violence that erupted during the shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB). The shutdown was organized to demand an extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh.
(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/congress-urges-modi-government-to-address-ladakhs-anguish-as-protests-turn-violent-23595900
