Srinagar: Last year, on August 5, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the centre removed Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The central government also downgraded the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Following which a communication blockade was enforced in the region, which is still underway partially.
THE CLAIM WAR
According to Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Ladakh would be a separate Union Territory with no legislature. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the government and the local politicians are claiming that the situation of the ground is peaceful and that people of all the three regions, including Ladakh have welcomed the decisions.
For Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) the decision will make Ladakhis' realise their dreams.
"We, Ladakhis, have been striving for a separate region from the state - a UT since 1949. We protested, staged several agitations in the past seven decades to fulfil our demand. Getting UT status was like a dream come true for us," President Ladakh Buddhist Association PT Kunzang told ETV Bharat.
He also hailed the Modi-led government at the centre for taking the decision.
"Several governments came and went. They made promises, did politics over the issue, but did nothing for us. PM Modi took a historical stand which is very commendable and we are thankful to the present government for taking such a bold step," he said.
Gyal P Wangyal, Chief Executive Councilor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Corporation (LAHDC), Leh feels that the UT status was a gift for the people of Ladakh.
"I have no words to describe how happy the people of Ladakh are today. For the past seven decades, we have been demanding 'Free Ladakh' and now we have got it. We have separated it from Kashmir," he said adding, "The UT status is a gift from PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and our forefathers who have strived hard for such status to our future generations."
Explaining why Ladakhis wanted to separate Ladakh from Kashmir, he said: "Bulk of the central government funding goes to Kashmir and Kashmir only. While Ladakh region constitutes around 70 per cent of the area, but it only gets near zero funding and Kashmir has been getting the lion's share."
"The Modi government gave an Rs 80,000 crore developmental package to Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, but Ladakh only got nothing. Though there were three regions in the state, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, it was only Kashmir which got preference always, he added.
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However, the local Ladakhis contradict the claims, terming them "baseless and far from reality."
"Our politicians and leaders are opportunists. They have never thought about the people of the region. We are confused and not happy. There is no clarity in anything and no one is doing anything to address our situation," Sarwar Hussain, a local, told ETV Bharat.
He says, "Nearly a year has passed since the state was downgraded into two UTs but we still don't know anything about the new rules, regulations. Earlier, there were notifications used to come but now nothing is happening. Even our bureaucrats are clueless."
Another local, Angmo Deskit says, "I was preparing for civil services and had planned to appear for both Central and State level examinations. Now, I don't know what is happening. There are reports that the state quota is being reduced but nothing is confirmed officially. If this happens, how do you think it will be for our benefit. Our politicians are busy in fulfilling their personal goals. They never thought about us or the region. They should be questioning this time but are silent and are busy in giving pro-government interviews."
"As a citizen of this country, I have every right to know what is happening but no one has any information. And the worst part is no one is even asking," She added.
When asked if she too wanted to separate Ladakh from Kashmir, she said, "How does this matter? A common Ladakhi needs development, better education and medical facilities. Our literacy rate is low. There are a lot of issues which need to be addressed. Kashmir was not a problem but corruption and preference were. These issues could have ended by taking constructive steps rather than breaking down an autonomous state."
THE DOMICILE ISSUE
Following the Central government's formal domicile law notification in April this year, Ladakh administration's silence has drawn a sharp retort from locals, while leaving them aghast and angry.
When ETV Bharat tried to get reactions of the Ladakh administration and local politicians on the development, they refused to comment saying that the "it's not the right time to talk about the issue."
"Ladakh is newly formed UT. We had to start from zero and everything takes time. We have fast-tracked a lot of things like its Ladakh police now instead of Jammu and Kashmir police. Similarly, for vehicle registration we now use "LA '' instead of "JK"...a lot of other changes are being done. This takes time and I assure all issues will be addressed," a senior official in Ladakh administration told ETV Bharat on the condition of anonymity.
He further said, "In Jammu and Kashmir, it is easier to implement directions from the centre as they already have resources for fast-tracking the process. We, on the other hand, have limited options. Let me tell you once everything is in place anything can be done properly. Right now you give us the benefit of doubt."
"It's not the right time to talk about domicile issues. Let's wait for some time," he added.
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Asked about the future of civil service aspirants of the UT, he said, "Now central rules apply here too. Just like any other UT of the country. There has been no separate notification in this regard from the central government after the Reorganisation Act 2019 as such it is better for all of us to have patience."
Meanwhile, politicians and unionists declined to comment on the issue saying, "we are not authorised to talk on this."
Locals, however, expressed their dismay regarding the current situation in the region.
"As I said earlier, the politicians and administration here are clueless. They only know how to be opportunists while shying away from asking basic questions. The e-gov portal (https://leh.nic.in/e-gov/online-services/) of Leh doesn't have anything regarding domicile," Hussain said, adding, "No one can guide us too."
Deskit feels Ladakh region has been haunted ever since becoming UT.
"Our queries are stonewalled. No one answers anything because no one knows anything. Domicile and delimitation is a big thing for the region and its residents but who cares. In Jammu and Kashmir, people have applied for the domicile certificate, this created panic among us too. There are a lot of questions but no answers. Let us hope there is best for us in-store," Deskit said, adding, "I feel the UT of Ladakh has been haunted ever since Article 370 was abrogated. People, the administration is oblivious while living under the threat of war with China."
THE LADAKH STANDOFF
With India and China agreeing to the fact that it was necessary for both the sides to implement the understandings reached between the senior commanders of the Indian Army and Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) for disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh have brought much-needed relief to the residents of the region.
Sharing his personal experience with ETV Bharat, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council's councillor from Chushul, Konchok Stanzin, said, "This is good news that both the armies have come to some conclusion and the disengagement is underway. The people of my area were more worried about their only source of income - grazing lands. Pastures are our lifeline and if the talks between the two armies failed again that meant loss of livelihood for us. But thankfully everything went fine. The fear among the people yet to go as the deployment of troops is still not reduced. You won't believe in the past few months the huge troop movement in the area brought back the nightmare of the 1962 war. There was panic everywhere. Imagine 150-300 army vehicles passing through villages every day."
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"I hope there is no further escalation," Stanzin says with a sigh.
Stanzin couldn't confirm the present ground situation; he had confined himself to Leh only since June 2, 2020.
For Korzok Council's Gurmet Dorjay, the 'unchecked' Chinese intrusion has been going on for decades.
"Two years ago, Chinese objected to religious prayers held at Nurbu Tamcho where we would go regularly. They claimed the area falls under their territory. After continuous objections, the authorities stopped us from going there," Dorjay said.
