Srinagar, Oct 18: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday described the ongoing crisis in Ladakh as “extremely unfortunate”, saying the people of the region have been “pushed to the wall” due to the Centre’s failure to deliver on its promises.
Addressing a press conference here, Abdullah said the Union government had pledged Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh but has failed to honour that commitment.
“The people of Ladakh have been pushed to the wall. Promises have been made to them that have not been kept. Unfortunately, this seems to be a practice, particularly with the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Promises are made and then promises are broken,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels with Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the same pattern of “broken promises” is visible. “You promised us statehood, but are not fulfilling it. Is the attempt now to push Jammu and Kashmir to the wall also? Is that what you’re saying — that they are not happy with the situation being peaceful here, or that our demands are being raised democratically and constitutionally?” he asked.
The Chief Minister said both J&K and Ladakh were assured special constitutional safeguards following the abrogation of Article 370, but those assurances remain unfulfilled. “All we want is for those promises to be kept,” he said—(KNO)
