Srinagar: Days after the joint Apex Body of Ladakh and Kargil Democratic Alliance boycotted the high-powered committee constituted by the Government of India; Chering Dorjay, leader of the Ladakh Buddhist Association has said that Ladakh was better being a part of Kashmir than this current Union Territory administration.
He said they (Ladakh and Kargil) were better off in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir than under the Union Territory administration.
The Apex Body of Ladakh and Kargil Democratic Alliance have been demanding statehood, protection of land, jobs, and their identity.
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To resolve the issue, the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a high-powered committee headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. Lt Governor of Ladakh, MP Ladakh, a senior home ministry official, and nine representatives of Apex Body of Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance.
However, the Apex Body has said that it doesn’t know under what schedule and law, the Central Government will meet their demands.
"Given the present scenario, we feel the earlier arrangement of being part of J&K was better," said Chering Dorjay.
Mr. Dorjay alleged that the center is trying to make a fool of the Ladakhi people after forming the high-powered committee but refuses to accept their demand for statehood and the 6th schedule for Ladakh.
"They are trying to make fool of us. We understand that the center is against our demand for statehood and 6th schedule," said Mr. Dorjay.
Ladakh was part of Jammu and Kashmir before the Government of India scrapped the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating article 370 of the Indian constitution and divided the erstwhile state into two union territories – J&K with a legislature and Ladakh without a legislature.
Reacting to the development, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that: “Finally it has dawned on the people of Ladakh that they were better off in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision taken on August 5, 2019, was not only an assault on the distinct identity of all three regions but also a move to disempower the people. Hope the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh put up a united fight for the restoration of their legitimate rights.”
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also tweeted saying “Relieved that people of Ladakh finally realize that their interests & identity can be saved only if they unite with J&K. They have finally called off GOIs bluff & disinterest in granting them statehood & protecting their resources.”
