Shutdown, protests in Ladakh as demand for restoration of statehood grows

Ladakh saw a near complete shutdown on Saturday as thousands marched on the streets to demanding restoration of statehood for the Union Territory, reported PTI.

The call for the protest – “Leh chalo.” – was jointly given by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. These are two civil society groups that have been advocating for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which makes special provisions for administration of tribal areas.

On December 4, the two civil society groups held talks with a committee formed by the Centre in New Delhi, where they also demanded job reservations for locals and a parliamentary seat each for the districts of Leh and Kargil. The next round of talks is scheduled for February 19.

On Saturday, commercial activities were suspended even in the remote Zanskar and Nubra Valley regions as both districts observed a shutdown, reported The Wire. Public transport remained largely off-roads. Citizens assembled in large numbers at the Polo Ground in Leh where political leaders and activists elaborated on their demands for Ladakh.

The government had on August 5, 2019, rescinded the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into the Union Territories of Jammu and...

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