Reorganization of J&K: Ladakhis knock on Centre’s door to protect land, jobs

Srinagar, Oct 6: Fearing ingression by outsiders, people of Ladakh are knocking on Centre’s door seeking guarantees for protection of land and jobs in the new Union Territory.

On August 5, Centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state into union territories-Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. However, people are apprehending that non-locals can buy property and apply for jobs in Ladakh.

Allying fears, representatives of Ladakh are planning to submit a memorandum to Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that land and jobs in the new Union Territory are protected.

A source in the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) said they have sought suggestions from civil society groups, social, and religious groups about how to protect land and jobs in the cold desert.

“The draft is being prepared and Member Parliament is also consulting experts. Once the process is completed, the report will be submitted to Centre,” he said.

Ladakh Member of Parliament JamyangTseringNamgyal said people of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh have no reason to fear about losing land and property.

“Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils are there to safeguard land and jobs. There is no threat to jobs. Only IAS officers are being brought here,” Namgyal told The Kashmir Monitor.

A joint delegation from Kargil and Leh recently met Governor in Srinagar and demanded that UT of Ladakh should be declared tribal area under the 6th Schedule of Constitution. Plus they demanded separate UT Ladakh cadre and indigenous certificate on the lines of Nagaland to protect government jobs for locals.

Ladakh representatives had been demanding “extraordinary” powers to Leh and Kargil Councils “to protect local interests, land and cultural identity” of the arid region.

On September 29, Ladakh representatives, during their meeting with a three-member panel formed by the Union Government to oversee the distribution of assets and liabilities had sought due share in the assets –both moveable and immovable properties –owned by Jammu and Kashmir state within and outside the state. The outside properties include lands and buildings situated in Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai.