Peaceful rally against Indian govt blocked in Leh as Ladakh political crisis deepens
Leh, March 11 (KMS): In yet another display of suppression of political dissent, the administration in Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has denied permission to a civil society group to hold a peaceful rally in Leh against the Indian government’s refusal to restore the constitutional rights and democracy in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which has been spearheading the ongoing agitation in Ladakh along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), had planned to hold a peaceful rally in Leh on Thursday. The KDA was also expected to organize a similar rally in Kargil district to protest the delay in the resumption of meaningful talks with New Delhi among other unresolved issues.
The rallies were planned a day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Ladakh’s new Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, who is likely to take oath on March 13 in Leh amid deepening political uncertainty in the region.
In a media interview, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said that they had applied for permission from the police administration in Leh last week. “It was going to be a peaceful rally aimed at raising our voices and bringing focus on the dispossession and disempowerment of Ladakh since 2019. However, the administration didn’t grant us permission,” he said.
Lakrook added that the LBA and KDA leaders are now holding consultations on their future course of action following the denial of permission for the peaceful rally.
“Our agenda for the talks with the Indian government has not changed and it is not going to change in future also. The government’s refusal to accept our demands has already angered the people of Ladakh and the ongoing political uncertainty will only breed mistrust and alienate our people,” he warned.
The two bodies met with the Indian Home Ministry’s High-Powered Committee (HPC) on February 4 during which they sought the implementation of their four point agenda, including granting statehood and Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh.
However, the talks had remained inconclusive with the Indian government rejected the demands for statehood and Sixth schedule status, describing them as “not feasible and impractical”.
