Kargil/Jammu:: Leaders of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday expressed concern over recent notifications issued by the Ladakh administration, accusing it of taking unilateral decisions while talks with the Centre on an empowered governance framework for the region remain unresolved.
They warned that continued disregard for Ladakh’s demands could trigger a public response.
The concerns follow the rejection of a draft governance proposal presented during an October 15 sub-committee meeting involving the KDA, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and representatives of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The two regional bodies said the proposal failed to meet commitments made during earlier discussions. A meeting scheduled for October 22 in Delhi was subsequently postponed.
Addressing a press conference in Kargil, KDA co-chairman Sajad Kargili questioned the administration’s issuance of notifications concerning the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) and reservation-related matters while discussions on constitutional safeguards and greater powers for Ladakh remained inconclusive.
He alleged that the administration was imposing unilateral decisions and undermining democratic rights and institutions.
Kargili also criticised the proposed draft concerning the LAHDCs, claiming it diluted the existing framework instead of strengthening local self-governance. He said the leadership had expected a proposal granting substantially greater powers to Ladakh.
KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai urged people to remain vigilant and cautioned the administration against mistaking public restraint for acceptance of its decisions.
“The silence we are witnessing today is the calm before the storm,” he said.
Karbalai called on the Centre to honour commitments made during the May 22 ministerial meeting and bring forward a revised draft guaranteeing full legislative, executive and financial powers, along with constitutional safeguards.
He urged the government to address Ladakh’s demands before public frustration escalated further.
Independent Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan also criticised the governance proposal, saying it failed to reflect the aspirations and rights of the region’s people.
Jan said Ladakh’s principal demand was for a democratic system in which people could govern themselves, formulate policies and determine development priorities. She said constitutional safeguards and meaningful democratic powers were essential for the region’s long-term development.
She also called for greater transparency in the negotiations, urging the KDA and LAB to make their respective drafts and objections public.
The leaders called for the postponed meeting to be convened without further delay and sought a revised proposal that honours earlier commitments. (PTI)