(TibetanReview.net, Feb04’24) – India’s strategically important Tibet-border Union Territory of Ladakh observed a complete shutdown on Feb 3 as thousands of its residents staged a march, demanding statehood and protections of local people’s interests under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution. It was organized by Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance from the two districts which comprise the Union Territory. The two socio-political organisations spearheading the movement are pursuing four main demands: statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, reservation of jobs for the youth of Ladakh, and the creation of separate Parliamentary constituencies for the two parts of the region — Leh and Kargil. The people of Ladakh said they couldn’t live under an unending bureaucratic rule in the Union Territory and only a full statehood – where they elect their representatives to govern the region – could fulfil their demand, said the ndtv.com report. Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory after Article 370 of the Indian constitution was scrapped and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and downgraded into two Union Territories in Aug 2019.

Source: Indian Express February 04, 2024 20:23 UTC