Securing our Borders ~ II
Special emphasis has been laid on the development of infrastructure in the difficult terrains in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and parts of Uttarakhand bordering China.
Jammu and Kashmir leaders condemned the violence during the Ladakh protests on Wednesday and called for dialogue.
They criticized the Centre for not fulfilling its commitments to Ladakh made at the time of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, including promises of development and safeguarding the region’s indigenous culture.
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Valley leaders have raised their voices to protect Ladakh’s indigenous culture and demanded accountability from the BJP-led Centre to resolve the region’s issues, instead of making opposition parties scapegoats.
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Mehbooba calls for protection of local culture
On the violent protest in Leh yesterday, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “Ladakh fears that their land will be taken from them and that their culture will change. This fear must be addressed by the government through actions, not ‘jumlas’.”
She added that if the Centre wants to convert Ladakh into an “open jail,” the consequences could be severe. She condemned the levelling of accusations against activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying it is being used to hide the government’s failures.
The PDP President further emphasized that it is important for the government to fulfill all the commitments it has made and called for dialogue and concrete actions to ensure peace in Ladakh.
Omar bats for peace
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has spoken in favour peace and said dialogue must be held between the representatives of Ladakh and the Central government.
Omar said, “The situation is bad there. I appeal to the people not to take the law into their own hands. The path to peace must be paved, and the Government of India should listen to them.”
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah urges BJP to take responsibility
Omar’s father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also slammed the BJP for blaming the Congress and urged it to take accountability for the situation in Ladakh. On the protests, he said that the people of Ladakh had initially followed Gandhian methods of non-violent agitation. But, he added, “regrettably, instead of continuing on Gandhi’s path, they chose agitation and took some very harsh steps.”
“They set fire to the BJP office, burnt several police vehicles, and tried to torch other offices as well. This forced the police to open fire,” Abdullah clarified.
Pointing towards the Centre, he further said people are demanding answers: “Where are the promises you made?”
At senior levels, jobs are absent, with outsiders filling positions. Locals, he claimed, feel reduced to a colony. Among the youth, anger has turned into resolve: “Even if it costs us our lives, we will fight for our rights.”
Hailing Gandhian principles, Abdullah added: “The National Conference has never abandoned Gandhi’s path. We have never picked up stones or guns; we have made sacrifices, but never resorted to such means. But what will happen tomorrow, what our children might do, that I cannot say.”
The BJP promised administrative autonomy as a UT, focused development, security enhancement, and cultural preservation for Ladakh during and after the Article 370 move.
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