Modi govt has made mockery of local elected institutions in Ladakh: Congress
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has targeted the Modi government over the continuing agitation by the people in Ladakh region of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in support of their demands.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The people of Ladakh have been protesting in large numbers against the Modi Sarkar’s heavy handed rule by bureaucracy, which has made a mockery of local elected institutions.”
He said, “The courageous environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has brought agony of the people of Ladakh to national and global attention.” Wangchuk is sitting on a fast in Leh for the past 16 days in favour of his demand for constitutional safeguards.
Jairam Ramesh said that the people of Ladakh were demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
He said, “On August 5, 2019, by converting Ladakh into a separate UT without a Legislative Assembly, the Modi government closed the possibilities of any self-government for the people of Ladakh. “Were the people of Ladakh ever consulted during the development?” he asked.
The Congress MP also said, “The proposed Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2023 has suggested single-window clearance committees having only government officials and an industry representative. No Council members, no civil society groups, and no panchayat representatives from Ladakh are part of these committees.” “In a sensitive ecosystem such as Ladakh, what is the cynical motive that underlines this proposed Land Allotment Policy?” the Congress leader further questioned.
