Disillusionment and anger are palpable on the freezing streets of Ladakh capital Leh, the place local weather activist Sonam Wangchuk has been sitting on quick for almost two weeks. ”Individuals are asking whether or not declaring Ladakh a Union Territory was a ploy to promote of our mountains to industrial foyer and mining corporations,” he informed NDTV.
The BJP, Mr Wangchuk mentioned, had promised — not as soon as however twice — that their calls for shall be met. ”It was one in all their ballot guarantees. They promised us that they might shield the id of Ladakh underneath the sixth schedule. However sadly, guarantees haven’t been stored. Ladakh has no democratic illustration,” he added.
Mr Wangchuk additionally claimed the morale of the troopers was at its weakest. ”The morale of Ladakhi troopers is damaged as a result of Ladakh has neither democracy (Meeting) nor reservation (for locals),” he mentioned.
Virtually 5 years in the past, when Ladakh was declared a separate Union Territory, the folks had celebrated. However now, ”Folks in Ladakh are disillusioned and really feel they’ve been taken for a experience. I can solely say that they (the BJP) solely take into consideration elections and what number of seats they’ll get, however neglect about folks,” he added.
”We wish reassurance from the Centre that although they’ve did not stay upto their promise up until now, they won’t accomplish that once more,” he mentioned. The folks, he added, now desire a multi-party legally binding settlement.
”We wish to educate folks in different elements of the nation about how false guarantees had been made to us. However we aren’t simply combating for Ladakh. It’s for our nation,” he added.
Folks from 20 cities unfold throughout India — together with Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad — have come out in assist of Ladakh. Enormous protests have been deliberate on March 20 and once more on March 24. ”We’re additionally asking worldwide communities to return out and assist our trigger,” he added.