Scores of Ladakhis on Sunday reached Jammu where they staged a protest to reiterate their demand for special constitutional status and restoration of statehood.
The protesters from Leh and Kargil demanded statehood, gathered under the banner of Kargil Democratic Alliance also demanded reservation on land and jobs, the establishment of a public service commission, and the establishment of two separate parliamentary constituencies for the districts of Leh and Kargil.
During the protest at Jammu’s Press Club, KDA leader Sajjad Kargili stated that the demands had already been communicated to the Central Government. He claimed that it was the first time people from Kargil and Leh had come together over a political issue.
Flanked by Tsering Dorjey Lakruk, KDA co-chairpersons Qamar Ali Akhoon and Asgar Ali Karbalai, among others, stated that they were not opposed to dialogue with the government on issues affecting Ladakh residents.
Former minister Karbalai stated that they have been peacefully agitating for their four-point agenda, which includes the establishment of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts, recruitment and job reservation for Ladakh youth, and the establishment of a public service commission.
Dorjay, a former minister, stated that the entire Ladakh population is with them.
Pertinently, on August 05, 2019 the Indian Government unliterally abrogated the special status of Jammu Kashmir and divided the state into two federally governed Union territories- Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir. With inputs from PTI