More Districts for Ladakh

The announcement of five more districts for Ladakh by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) is a welcome move. This is a major decision after the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35 A in 2019 to reorganise the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new union territories. Union Territory (UT) status for Ladakh was the long pending demand of Ladakhis. It was hoped that after granting the UT to Ladakh it would satisfy the grievances of the people in Ladakh. But things have not gone that way. People are agitating for the implementation of the four point agenda under the leadership of the Leh Apex Body(LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).Their demands include Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh.It has to be kept in mind that the agitationists have given a call for a foot march from Leh to Delhi to get their demands registered by the Central Government. Meanwhile,the announcement of the creation of more districts is being seen to pacify the belligerent approach of the people in both Leh and Kargil.MHA has directed the UT administration of Ladakh to start the process of demarcating the boundaries of the new districts.It includes the setting up the district headquarters and the creation of new posts.The new districts that have been announced for Ladakh UT are Sham,Nubra,Changthang,Zanskar and Dras.Sham,Nubra and Changthang districts have been created in Leh district.Zanskar and Dras have been created in Kargil disctrict.With this announcement the number of districts in Ladakh has gone up to seven now.With this decision there is a mood of celebration in the political circles and social organisations as this will enable the availability of resources and infrastructure at micro level in the nation’s cold desert that witnesses minus temperatures in dreaded winters.But the LAB and KDA have given a cautioned reaction to this important development.They have kept their fingers crossed.Though they have welcomed the decision of the Home Ministry but at the same time reteriated their demand of the implementation of the four point agenda that includes the inclusion in the Sixth schedule and the status of statehood.Political and social circles in Ladakah are concerened about the functioning of these new districts.As these new districts are sparsely populated when compared to Leh and Kargil.It has to be seen whether the newly created districts offers Hill Councils or creates a complete Regional Council for the Ladakh UT.It is pertinent to mention that Leh was given Autonomous Hill Development Council in 1995 and Kargil got the same in 2003.Ladakhis have been in the forefront of UT agitation from the times of Kushak Bakula.Now that the people have been delivered the UT there seems to be dissatisfaction among the masses in terms of the powers.Ladakh has a large land area with thin population density due to harsh climate.There have been many rounds of talks between the Central Government and Ladakhi representatives but the logjam continues.Ladakh has both strategic and cultural importance as far as the Northern Frontiers of India are concerned. Any turmoil in Ladakh can pose a serious threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.People of Ladakh have always been in the forefront to uphold the national interest.They are acting as the sentinels of the nation facing the threats from China.It is in the national interest to keep Ladakh peaceful.India cannot afford to give the enemies of nation an opportunity to exploit the socio-political situation.New Delhi must weigh all pros and cons to empower the Ladakhis and ensure safeguard of their cultural rights so that they continue to contribute to the national development.