LADAKH PUZZLE
People of Ladakh are at a difficult stage to take a decision whether to accept the union territory status or demand to be a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Even the voices in Kargil are either to be the part of Kashmir or stress on the BJP government at centre to make Ladakh region a separate state with all powers to the legislatures.
People of Ladakh region feel disempowered as the union territory of Ladakh is without any legislature and would be directly controlled by New Delhi.
When the people of Ladakh started asking for safeguards to their land and jobs after the media reported that some business tycoons were going to build huge resorts by purchasing land in Ladakh, they formed a political platform to fight for special status.
Ahead of the LAHDC polls, senior political leaders, political parties, including the BJP and religious monks from the region, formed the Peoples Movement of Ladakh, demanding constitutional safeguards for locals of the region under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Narendra Modi government is committed to providing more facilities under the Sixth Schedule to the people of Ladakh and to preserve the land, culture and unique identity of Ladakhis. Will it be only an election promise and are the people of Kargil ready for such status would be a question for the future.