The Union government is likely to create new administrative units in Ladakh before the Lok Sabha elections to address the grievances of the locals who have been demanding Sixth Schedule, statehood, and other rights for the tribal region.
According to sources, the government is planning to carve out two new districts – Zanskar and Nubra – from the existing districts of Leh and Kargil, which are the only two districts in the Union Territory at present. The move is expected to fulfil the long-standing demand of the residents of these remote areas, who face difficulties in accessing the district headquarters.
The government is also considering to give more powers to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) of Leh and Kargil, which are the elected bodies that govern the local affairs of the UT.
However, the government is not in favour of granting full statehood to Ladakh, which is one of the four demands raised by the Ladakh leaders, along with Sixth Schedule, two Lok Sabha seats, and employment for locals.
A delegation of Ladakh leaders, comprising representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is scheduled to meet Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, on February 19 to discuss these demands. The delegation had submitted a written document to the ministry in December last year, after Rai asked them to do so.
Sources said that the meeting is likely to see some progress in the dialogue between the Ladakh delegation and the ministry panel, but further rounds of discussions may be needed to reach a final decision.
The Ladakh leaders have been leading an agitation for the past few months, with the support of the locals, to press for their demands. While the Buddhist-dominated Leh is in favour of UT status with Sixth Schedule, which would give them more autonomy and protection of their land and culture, the Muslim-majority Kargil is adamant on the demand of statehood, which would give them more representation and development.
The agitation has also created a political challenge for Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who belongs to the ruling BJP, as he has to balance the interests of both the regions and the central government. Sources said that Namgyal has also conveyed to the senior leaders the negative impact the agitation can have on the Lok Sabha election for the sole seat in the UT.
