Srinagar, Sep 17: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MP Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan on Thursday backed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s advice to Ladakh leaders to seek written assurance on their demands from the Centre.
MP Ramzan said the people of Ladakh had long demanded Union Territory (UT) status and were initially pleased when their demand was met.
“Ladakh’s people had always demanded UT status, and they received it. But they also wanted a UT with an Assembly. When that expectation was not fulfilled, they felt disappointed,” he said.
The Member Parliament said Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, describing it as an unprecedented development. He recalled that the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had the power to adopt, reject or amend laws passed by the Centre before they could be applied to the region.
He said the experience of Jammu and Kashmir should serve as a lesson for Ladakh leaders and urged them to ensure that assurances given by the Centre need to be obtained in writing and followed by implementation.
“We were promised delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood immediately after the elections. Nearly two years have passed, but there is still no sign of statehood being restored,” Ramzan said.
He added that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKNC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and party leaders in Parliament had repeatedly raised the issue, but no progress had been seen so far.
Referring to a recent visit to Ladakh by a parliamentary delegation, MP Ramzan said leaders from different political parties had expressed concern over repeated assurances from the Centre. He said the delegation was informed that a written draft of the government’s commitments would be prepared, but the meeting ended within five to ten minutes as the draft was not ready.
“Now they have been called to Delhi again next week, and they have been assured that the draft will be ready by then,” he said.
Ramzan said Ladakh was also hopeful of receiving protections under Article 371 and was awaiting elections to the Hill Development Councils.
He reiterated Omar Abdullah’s advice that Ladakh leaders should remain vigilant and ensure that the promises made to them were translated into action and properly implemented—(KNO)
