TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: Despite attempts made by few adversaries to sabotage the ‘Ladakh Bandh’ call given by Apex Body of People’s Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the ‘Chakka Jam’ was a successful one in both Leh and Kargil districts of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday.
Ladakh observed a complete ‘Chakka Jam’ to press for the demand of full-fledged Statehood for Ladakh, Constitutional safeguards on the lines of 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts along with a seat of Rajya Sabha and immediate recruitments in different departments in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Bandh call was given by Apex Body of People’s Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in protest against the Government of India failing to invite representatives of Ladakh on time to start a dialogue regarding Ladakh’s demands.
On Sunday night a letter faked and photoshopped in the name of Apex Body made rounds on social media claiming that the Bandh Call had been postponed.
This led to senior member Apex Body and former Minister Chering Dorjay to intervene and made an immediate statement.
“A fake letter was circulated on social media by an anti-Ladakh element tonight around 9:00 PM on social media. This disgruntled soul attempts to sabotage the Bandh called by Apex Body and KDA by producing fake photoshopped letterhead of the apex body with the soul intention to trigger law and order problem in Ladakh,” the statement read, repeating that complete Bandh shall be enforced through stringent monitoring by volunteers of the People’s Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.
On the success of the Bandh call in both districts, Chering Dorjay thanked everyone, especially business establishments, for supporting the Bandh. Talking about the fake and forged letter in the name of Apex Body, he condemned the act and called those indulged in doing it as standing against Ladakh’s cause.
“We will lodge a complaint and have it investigated,” Dorjay said.
Chief Coordinator, Ladakh Students’ Environmental Action Forum (LEAF) Lobzang Spalden also thanked everyone for making the bandh a success and added students also supported the demand since there has not been any recruitment in the last two years.
In Leh the Chakka Jam was supported by business establishments including Merchant Association Leh, All Ladakh Tourist and Travel Trade Alliance, All Ladakh Transport Association, Ladakh Taxi operator Co-operative Ltd, All Ladakh Tour Operator Association, All Ladakh Guest House and Hotel Association, Ladakh Tempo Traveler Operator, Mazda Union Leh, 407 Union Leh, 207 Union Leh, Biker Association Leh, Ladakh Bus Operator Union Leh and Truck Union Leh.
Co-Chairman Kargil Democratic Alliance Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai called it a historic day as the entire Ladakh from Matayen to Chushul observed complete bandh on the call given by Apex Body of Leh and KDA.
“We have no words to express our gratitude to the people of Ladakh for making it a great success. This shows that people of Ladakh are ready for any sacrifice to get their demands and issues fulfilled. Against all odds and propagandas to sabotage the demands, people of Ladakh succeeded to make it a success,” he added.
He also thanked Marchant Association Kargil, All Kargil Transport Association, All Kargil Sabzi Fruits Association, All Kargil Trade Travel Association, All Kargil Dhaba Restaurant Association, All Kargil Automobile Workshop Association, Marchant and Business Association of Drass, Shakar-Chiktan, Wakha-Mulbeg, Shargole, Sankoo, Taisuru, Zanskar and different sub-divisions and blocked of Kargil, Panchayat Coordination Committee, Bar Association, student organizations and all others involved to make the Bandh a success.