Kargil: Kargil on Tuesday observed a complete shutdown in response to a call by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and other organisations against the proposed holding of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections during winter, with protesters demanding that the polls be deferred.
A candle march under the banner of ‘Save Democracy in Ladakh’ was also held in Kargil on Tuesday evening, with participants reiterating their demand to defer the proposed LAHDC elections.
Speaking to reporters, KDA Co-Chairman Sajjad Hussain Kargili criticised the UT administration over what he described as a series of unilateral notifications and orders, alleging that decisions were being taken without the consent of the people of Ladakh.
He said the administration’s approach was unacceptable and accused it of undermining democratic processes and public representation in the region.
Expressing concern over the possibility of holding LAHDC elections in December, Kargili said around 20 to 25 per cent of Ladakh’s population was currently outside the region, including elderly people, youth and women who migrate to other places during harsh winter.
Kargili alleged that the people of Ladakh had been deprived of proper democratic representation for the past six to seven years and accused the administration of keeping the process of dialogue suspended.
He expressed concern over the protection of land rights and said attempts to take away the land of the people through what he termed conspiracies would not be acceptable.
Referring to the ongoing protests, Kargili said people from both Kargil and Leh were raising their voices against the proposed election schedule. He said demonstrations and press conferences had also been held in different areas, including Sangku, Stakpa, Umba and TSG Block.
“The entire Ladakh is united on this issue. The administration perhaps expected people to celebrate its notifications, but the response has been completely different,” he said.
He alleged that the UT administration had failed to address public concerns and reiterated that bureaucratic decisions without people’s consent would not be accepted.
Kargili said the protest movement had received support from various political parties and religious organisations across Ladakh.
He said representatives of the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and National Conference were participating in the protests in Kargil, while the Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association had also raised concerns in Leh.
LAHDC elections on Dec 4, nominations from Nov 17
The State Election Commission, Ladakh, on Tuesday announced the schedule for elections to all Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), with polling scheduled for December 4.
As per a notification issued by the State Election Commission, the last date for filing nominations is November 17, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on November 18.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations by November 20, the notification reads.
Polling, if required, will be held on December 4 between 8 am and 5 pm, while the entire election process will be completed by December 8.
