Kargil, Nov 10: A complete shutdown was observed in Kargil on Tuesday following a call by several local organisations demanding postponement of the upcoming Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections until after the winter season.
Markets and business establishments remained closed across the region in response to the shutdown call, which was announced by Kargil-based groups at a press conference attended by Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan.
The organisations have argued that holding elections during the harsh winter months could affect voter participation, particularly in view of difficult weather conditions and seasonal migration.
Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) co-chairman Sajjad Kargili said people in the region were demanding that the elections be deferred.
In a video message posted on X, Kargili said the shutdown was also intended to draw attention to wider concerns over democratic representation, land rights and administrative decisions in Ladakh.
“The reason for this shutdown is that efforts are being made to weaken democracy in Ladakh. Conspiracies are being hatched to snatch our land. Every day, we are witnessing an unending process of orders and notifications being issued by the administration without the consent of local people. People are concerned about delimitation, and gerrymandering is being carried out,” he said.
Kargili said protests and press conferences were being organised across Ladakh to raise these issues. He added that a candle march would also be held in Kargil on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the proposed election schedule has also drawn opposition from prominent organisations in Leh.
Three Leh-based organisations, including the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), have announced a boycott of the upcoming elections, citing harsh winter conditions and large-scale seasonal migration.
