#Ladakh Demands for UT Status
The unrest in Kashmir region has now started frustrating the people of Jammu and Ladakh region. Due to unrest in Kashmir all the regions in the state are suffering massive economics losses. This has increased regional divide in the relatively peaceful Jammu and Ladakh regions as the demand for separating the two regions from the Kashmir valley has gained momentum. The Jammu region has been pushing for statehood while Ladakh has been demanding UT status.
People of Jammu and Ladakh region are saying that they are suffering due to growing radicalism in Kashmir.
“We have been suffering due to the Kashmir situation, which adversely affected our tourism as well as the supply of essential goods to the Ladakh region last year. On the behalf of Ladakhi people, I want to make it clear that the government will have to think seriously about granting UT status to Ladakh,” Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, said in a media interview
The LAHDC governs the Leh district politically while the CEC holds the rank of a Cabinet minister. “We want to tell the Centre that it should not link us with Kashmir. We are not opposing what will be given to Kashmir but our demand clear: we want separation from Kashmir and UT status for Ladakh. Our struggle will continue till we accomplish our mission,” the CEC said.
