Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the central government has decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. He said the new districts — Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang — would bring benefits to the people at their doorsteps by strengthening governance in every corner.
In a tweet, he said, “To realise the vision of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory,” the Home Minister said. “The Modi government is committed to providing ample opportunities to the people of Ladakh.”
This development comes just two days after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced a walk from Leh to Delhi next month to urge the central government to resume the stalled dialogue with the Ladakh leadership on the four-point agenda.
The LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) – both separate groupings of various political, social and religious organisations – have been jointly leading a campaign for four years in support of statehood, the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, an advance recruitment process, a Ladakh Public Service Commission and separate seats in the Lok Sabha for Leh and Kargil districts.
Talks between representatives of Ladakh and the central government ended in March without any concrete results.
Announcing the peaceful march from Leh to the capital, LAB co-chair Chering Dorjey Lakruk said at least 100 volunteers accompanied by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk would set out on foot from Leh on September 1 and reach Delhi on October 2 on Gandhi Jayanti.
However, if the number of volunteers remains below 100, the date will be changed, said Lakruk. However, the march will definitely take place.
“The decision to conduct the march was taken at the apex body meeting two days ago. Given the peak season for agriculture and tourism, there is a possibility that there will be fewer volunteers. We appeal to all sections of the society to come forward and participate in the march,” he said.
Wangchuk, who was also present at the press conference, said Ladakhis were confident that the central government would continue dialogue with their representatives after they settle into their third term.
“With this march, we are following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi because we believe in his doctrine of non-violence… We are fighting for our causes, which are legitimate, democratic and environmentally protective,” he said. “We want the nation to hear our voice and we also want to get the government to keep its promises and resume dialogue with our politicians.”
(With inputs from PTI)
