Ladakh presses for secession from Valley
NEW DELHI: As the Centre grapples with the crisis in the Valley, there is trouble brewing at another end of the state — a demand for trifurcation is gaining ground in Ladakh.
Alarmed by the agitation in the wake of Hizbul operative Burhan Wani’s death, people from Ladakh are demanding secession from Kashmir. They also want the BJP government at the Centre to set a deadline for abrogation of Article 370, a prerequisite for granting Union Territory status to Ladakh.
Speaking to HT, Thupstan Chhewang, BJP MP from Ladakh, said people of the region fear that remaining with Kashmir will not bode well for their security.
“An attempt is being made to form a coalition of all political parties in Ladakh to form a front that would push for UT status,” he said. The Congress also supports the demand although during its coalition term with the National Conference, the suggestion was turned down.
Chhewang, who wants to raise the issue at the forthcoming national executive of the party in Kerala, said people are worried that the unrest will spill over to Ladakh.
Chhewang, a former chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), said Ladakh’s demand for UT status, with a separate legislative, should be met, keeping in view the security of the region that shares a border with China.